Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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968. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a review of a pension entitlement in the case of a person (details supplied) will be carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12527/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Following review of their pension entitlement, it has been established that the person concerned is eligible for a reduced state pension (contributory) based on their combined Irish full-rate and modified contributions and EU contributions, with effect from their 66th birthday. They have also been awarded a reduced state pension (transition) from their 65th birthday until they reached age 66. The person concerned has been notified in writing of this decision on 15 March 2018. Arrears of pension have also issued to the person concerned.

The person’s entitlement to a standard state pension (contributory) and to a mixed insurance pro-rata state pension (contributory) was investigated but they do not satisfy the required number of full-rate paid contributions in either case. According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 129 reckonable paid contributions. A minimum of 520 contributions is required for standard state pension (contributory) entitlement and a minimum of 260 contributions is required for mixed insurance pro-rata pension entitlement.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government recently announced proposals for pensioners who qualified for state pension (contributory) since September 2012, and whose rate of entitlement was impacted by the 2012 rate band changes. These proposals will not impact the person concerned as they do not have the required minimum number of full-rate contributions paid.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.