Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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381. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will make a comprehensive statement regarding the new rule where 520 contributions are required for the contributory pension; if where there is a discrepancy in the number of stamps, for example 500, if any discretion may be used; if her attention has been drawn to instances whereby people are not checking their stamps until they are in retirement whereby it transpires they come up short; if her Department is able to raise awareness among people to check their contributions more regularly; if her attention has been drawn to any confusion and inconvenience the issue is causing; if there is a helpline available to assist persons affected by the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27137/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The State pension is a very valuable asset and it is important, for sustainability reasons, that those who receive it have made a significant contribution towards it during a working life.

In order to qualify for a State pension contributory, a person must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions which include:

- commencing insurable employment at least 10 years before pension age;

- a minimum of 520 qualifying contributions and

- achieving a yearly average of at least 10 qualifying contributions, paid or credited, over their working life.

In April 2012, the qualifying conditions for State pension increased from 260 paid PRSI contributions to 520 paid contributions. This provision was provided for a number of years in advance and is contained in the Social Welfare Act, 1997.

The change to the number of contributions required to qualify for a State pension has featured in all of the Department's relevant communications, information leaflets, booklets and on the Department's website since 1997.

My Department has also taken a number of actions to increase awareness of changes to the State pension, including the increase in the contribution requirements, and to assist customer determine their entitlements:

- An information pack relating to a number of changes to State pension was published in March 2012 and circulated widely to the various representative groups and to all members of the Oireachtas;

- Presentations on the introduction of these changes were also made at the Department's regular briefings with customer representative groups and to members of the public over the course of the year;

- A Frequently Asked Questions document on the qualifying conditions for State pension (contributory) has been published on the website. This document is also designed to help people work out their entitlement and is available at

It is open to anyone to contact to request a copy of their contribution record in order to assess their pension entitlement and request assistance in a number of ways, if needed. Questions about eligibility can be made by phone, or locally at a customer's local Intreo Centre, social welfare office or Citizens Information Centre. Queries can also be made using the online enquiry form available on the Department's website or may be sent in writing to Social Welfare Services, College Road, Sligo.

In addition my Department provides a general information telephone service on LoCall 1890 66 22 44 where people can get information on the wide range of schemes and services operated by the Department.

For those who are unable to meet the 520 criteria, the means-tested State pension (non-contributory) may be available to people on low incomes who have not paid sufficient PRSI contributions to qualify for the contributory pension.