John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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513. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a State pension, non-contributory, by a person (details supplied); if their qualification for a State pension, contributory, will be examined; and if a history of their contributions will be provided. [28763/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer on 28 May 2018, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

State pension (contributory) cannot be decided in the absence of a completed pension application form. According to the records of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, an application form has not been received to date from the person concerned. On foot of your representations, the Department have posted an application form to the person concerned. When their application form is received, a decision will be made on their pension entitlement, and they will be notified of the outcome without delay. The person concerned will also receive separately, by post, a copy of their social insurance record.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.