Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the discussions he has had with the Department of Social and Family Affairs regarding a change to State pension arrangements for farmers' spouses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3734/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Issues relating to eligibility for pensions are a matter for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. Following a review of certain pension claims, it was discovered that a number of individuals who had been in receipt of a pension did not satisfy the condition whereby they were required to have paid at least one year's self employment contributions before reaching age 66. As they did not satisfy this condition, the claims have been disallowed (from the date of pension award) and the customers notified.

My Department has no direct role in this matter.