Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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222. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons with insufficient insurance contributions to meet the requirements for State pension purposes; the degree to which they may qualify for a means-tested or non-contributory pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2378/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The rate of payment under the State Pension (Contributory) scheme is related to contributions paid over the years into the Social Insurance Fund, and credited contributions where applicable. There are a number of criteria which must be satisfied in order to qualify for a State pension contributory, whether at full or reduced level. These include that the person must be aged 66 or over, and that they have at least 520 paid contributions.

As the cohort of people who do not qualify for the State Pension (Contributory) will include people (both resident in the State and abroad) who do not apply for the State Pension (Contributory), the question of the number of persons with insufficient insurance contributions to meet the requirements for State pension purposes cannot be answered.

A person who does not qualify for State Pension (contributory) may apply for State Pension (non-contributory). Until a person applies for the State Pension (non-contributory) their means are not assessed. Therefore, in the absence of such an application, it is not possible to state to which degree they may/may not be entitled to a payment under that pension scheme.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.