Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there is a pensions system in place for Irish citizens who have worked here but are now living abroad; the position regarding same; if they are entitled to non-contributory State pensions; or if there is a system in place where they can pay contributions to the State for an Irish contributory pension, similar to the British system which allows British citizens to pay contributions over nine years from abroad and entitles them to contributory pensions. [25503/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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A person who has sufficient contributions to qualify for a State pension (contributory) or a State pension (transition) may receive their payment while living abroad.

Where a person has insufficient Irish contributions to qualify for these pensions it may be possible to combine their Irish contributions with other EU countries or countries with whom Ireland has a bilateral agreement in order to qualify for a pro rata rate of payment. Payment of a non-contributory pension, which is a means tested pension, is not normally paid to people who reside outside the State. However for those living in Northern Ireland who were in receipt of a State pension (non-contributory) immediately before moving, the pension can continue to be paid for up to five years or until a similar payment from the relevant authority is being paid. Voluntary contributions are PRSI contributions that can be paid if an individual is between the age of 16 and 66 and is no longer covered by compulsory PRSI by way of insurable employment, self-employment or credited contributions.

In order to be admitted as a voluntary contributor, an individual must: have at least 260 weeks PRSI paid under compulsory PRSI in either employment or self-employment; apply within 12 months after the end of the contribution year during which compulsory PRSI was last paid or a credited contribution was last awarded; and agree to pay voluntary contributions from the start of the contribution week in which compulsory PRSI was last paid or a credited contribution was last awarded.

Under EU legislation it not possible for a person to be subject to the social insurance systems of two or more member states at the same time. This means that an individual cannot pay voluntary contributions in Ireland at the same time as they are in insurable employment, self-employment, receiving credited contributions or paying voluntary contributions in another EU member state. The rate of voluntary contributions payable is always determined by the last rate of PRSI contribution paid by a person.