Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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708. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if pension entitlements in the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed under the total contributions approach and home caring periods; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6436/19]

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 have an entitlement to and are being paid a reduced state pension (contributory) under post Budget 2012 rate bands. Their rate of payment will be reviewed under recently enacted legislation. Given the numbers involved, the reviews will take a number of months to complete.

The person concerned was assessed as having a reduced rate entitlement to state pension (contributory) in 2013. The person was informed at that time that they were financially better off to remain as a qualified adult on their spouse's claim.

Individuals with an underlying entitlement to reduced rate state pension (contributory) but who are beneficiaries of a higher rate increase for qualified adult (IQA) payment will be reviewed. Letters are expected to issue to these individuals in Quarter 2 2019.

Where, following review, if the rate of state pension (contributory) is the highest rate payable, the person will be transferred to that payment and arrears, backdated to 30 March 2018, or their 66th birthday if later, issued without delay. However, if her existing rate as a beneficiaries of a increase for qualified adult (IQA) is still higher she will continue to receive that rate.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.