Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when contributory old age pension will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3195/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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An application for State pension (contributory) was received from the person concerned on 13th December 2010. His pension entitlement is currently being examined. On completion of this examination, he will be informed in writing of the outcome without delay.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 is not in receipt of a full State pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3196/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The qualifying conditions for State pension (contributory) require the applicant to

· have entered insurable employment before attaining the age of 56 years.

· have at least 260 paid contribution weeks, from employment or self-employment, since entry into insurance.

· satisfy the yearly average condition.

The person concerned satisfies the above conditions and has a total of 388 reckonable (paid and credited) social insurance contributions. When this total is divided by 10 (the number of years from date of entry into insurance to the end of the last tax year prior to reaching age 66), this gives a yearly average of 39 contributions, and entitles him to a reduced State pension (contributory) of €225.80 per week (98% of the maximum rate). In order to qualify for a maximum rate pension, a yearly average of 48 contributions or more would be required.