Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the average length of time it takes to process a claim for a contributory state pension for an Irish citizen when that citizen has previously resided in the UK; the number of applications processed for the years 2007 and 2008; the number outstanding for 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14910/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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A person who resides in Ireland, and who has previously worked in the United Kingdom, must apply to the Department for State Pension Transition or State Pension Contributory. The person's standard Irish pension entitlement will be fully processed within 4 weeks of receipt of their claim (where all required information is available), and they are notified of the outcome. Most applicants apply in advance of reaching pension age, and currently over 90% are processed by due date of entitlement.

Where previous UK employment is indicated or a UK insurance number is noted on their record a copy of the person's pension application and full Irish insurance record (on forms E202/205) are sent to the UK authority, to have any possible entitlement to UK pension examined by the Department of Works and Pension.

In cases where no standard (Irish) State Pension Transition/Contributory entitlement is established, or where a reduced rate Irish pension (up to 75%) is awarded, the UK authority is additionally requested to forward the person's UK insurance record to the Department, as the aggregation of the UK insurance record with their Irish record under EU Regulations, may enhance their pension entitlement. Once this record is received, the person's pension claim is reviewed to ensure that they are receiving their maximum entitlement.

These cases are recorded within the numbers for the overall E U Regulation so it is not possible to identify UK cases separately.