Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be paid the contributory pension from the date that they turned 66 and the reason this has not been paid to date. [3252/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned submitted a claim for State pension (contributory) in September 2010. In examining his pension entitlement, the Department was advised by Revenue that he had an outstanding social insurance liability in respect of period(s) of self-employment. Section 110(1) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, as amended, provides that a self-employed contributor shall not be regarded as satisfying the qualifying conditions for State pension (contributory) unless all outstanding PRSI contributions are paid. Consequently his claim was provisionally disallowed. In the communication of this decision on 29th November 2010, he was advised to contact his local Tax Office in relation to the outstanding PRSI liability, and when this was resolved, to notify the Department, whereupon his pension claim would be reviewed.

When confirmation that he had fully discharged this liability was received by the Department in January 2011, his claim was reviewed without delay and he was awarded a reduced (98%) State pension (contributory) at a rate of €225.80 per week, with effect from his 66th birthday, 2nd August 2010. A letter issued to the person concerned on 17th January 2011 detailing this pension award. Arrears of pension in respect of the period 2nd August 2010 to 20th January 2011 were paid to him on that date also.