Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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20. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in amending a PRSI contribution record for a person (details supplied) to facilitate eligibility under the widows, widower's or surviving civil partner's (contributory) pension scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6558/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Entitlement to widow(er)’s or surviving civil partner’s pension is based on the social insurance record of either the applicant or their deceased spouse or civil partner – their records cannot be combined to satisfy the social insurance condition for receipt of pension.

The social insurance record of the person concerned comprises 138 paid and credited social insurance contributions, in respect of the period between 2010 and 2012 and that of their late spouse comprises 29 paid or credited social insurance in this country. As neither record satisfies the eligibility conditions for widow(er)’s or surviving civil partner’s pension and the applicant has stated that further contributions were paid, the Department is currently trying to establish the full extent of the person’s social insurance contribution history. On completion of this investigation, the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

Entitlement to a widow(er)’s or surviving civil partner’s pro-rata EU pension is also being examined and a decision will be made on this when the requested information is received from the Polish authorities.