Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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1074. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the pension rights based on the total contributions approach of a person (details supplied) will be investigated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1019/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Since the end of September 2018, my Department has been examining the social insurance records of pensioners born on or after 1 September 1946 who were awarded state pension (contributory) on reduced post Budget 2012 rate bands. Information letters were issued to these pensioners explaining that my Department will contact them again to either inform them about the outcome of their review or to request further information in order to complete the review. All of the claims involved will be individually examined, starting with those aged 71 or over. The process will take a number of months to complete.

As the person concerned is in the current target group and has unexplained gaps in their social insurance record, they will shortly receive a request for further information. The letter will explain how to access my Department’s on-line service to quickly and easily provide the requested information.

On receipt of the requested information, the person’s state pension (contributory) pension will be reviewed and they will be informed of the outcome in writing. If an increase is due, it will be backdated to 30 March 2018. If no increase is due, the person concerned will continue to receive their current weekly rate of pension.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.