John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 106: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason for the delay in processing a contributory State pension application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; the date this application was received in her Department; the average processing time for such applications; and when this application will be decided. [40738/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The person concerned first applied for State Pension (contributory) in June 2007. The claim was rejected in September 2007 as she had no paid PRSI contributions and therefore did not fulfill the conditions for receipt of State Pension (contributory).

In April 2008, she submitted an application to have a business partnership between her and her spouse recognised for the purpose of social insurance. A decision that a retrospective partnership had existed was made in June 2009. Following payment of the required PRSI contribution in August 2009 her social insurance record was updated for the period 6 April 1988, the date self employed contributions were first introduced to 5 August 2007, her 66th birthday.

An application for State Pension (Contributory) was again made by the person concerned in August 2009. The Department is currently examining this claim and a decision on her pension entitlement will be made as soon as possible