Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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346. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the annual saving being achieved in 2014 arising from the reduction in payment of State pension to persons who do not have an average of 48 contributions per annum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19033/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The State pension is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives.

As provided for in Budget 2012, from September 2012, new rate bands for State pension were introduced. These additional payment rate bands more accurately reflect the social insurance history of a person and ensure that those who contribute more during a working life benefit more in retirement than those with lesser contributions.

The Exchequer savings arising are estimated to be in the region of €5 million for 2014. However, it is expected that this will increase over time, as the provisions are applied to new pensioners entering the system.