Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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491. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is not receiving a full contributory pension; if the calculation for same will be supplied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48136/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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According to the records of my Department, the person concerned was initially assessed with a total of 346 full-rate paid social insurance contributions for the period from October 1966 to December 2012. As this is less than the required 520 full-rate social insurance contributions, the qualifying conditions for state pension (contributory) were not met and the person concerned was notified, in writing, of this decision on 12 September 2013.

The person’s eligibility for a state pension (contributory) under EU regulations was also examined. Based on their Irish and UK insurance records, they were assessed with a total of 365 reckonable contributions (which included an additional 19 contributions from their UK record). As this also fell short of the required 520 contributions, the person did not qualify for a state pension (contributory) under EU regulations and they were notified, in writing, of this decision on 12 November 2013.

If the person concerned considers they have additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence of the missing periods of employment to my Department and their pension entitlement will be reviewed.

It is also open to the person concerned to apply for state pension (non-contributory), also payable from age 66. This pension is not reliant on a social insurance contribution record as qualification is instead based on satisfaction of a means test. On receipt of a completed state pension (non-contributory) application form, the person’s entitlement will be assessed and they will be notified of the outcome without delay. Application for assistance for persons in financial hardship can also be made by contacting the Department’s nearest Intreo Centre.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.