James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has been refused a State transition pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36473/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In order to qualify for a State Pension (Transition) at age 65, a person must have a yearly average of at least 24 reckonable social insurance contributions from their commencement of insurable employment up to the end of the tax year prior to their 65th birthday. The person concerned does not qualify for a State Pension (Transition) as she only has a yearly average of 2 reckonable contributions. PRSI contributions paid in respect of periods of self employment are not reckonable for State Pension (Transition). They are reckonable for State Pension (Contributory), which is payable from age 66.