Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 328: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the correct level of entitlement to contributory pension in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34641/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The qualifying conditions for State pension (contributory) require the applicant to: have entered into 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; and to satisfy the yearly average condition.

According to the Department's records, the person concerned has a total of 613 contributions and credits recorded from 1959 to 2009. This is equivalent to a yearly average of 12, which is sufficient to entitle her to a 50% State pension (contributory) with effect from 12 December 2009. In order to qualify for the maximum rate pension, a yearly average of 48 contributions or more would be required.

The person concerned states that she worked for Irish Ceca as a Cleaner from 1983 to 1985. There are currently no contributions on record for these years. Her case has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector for further investigation. Her pension entitlement will re-examined when the Inspector has concluded the investigation and she will be notified of the outcome.