Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Since late September 2018, my Department has been examining the social insurance records of approximately 90,000 pensioners, born on or after 1 September 1946, who have a reduced rate State pension contributory entitlement on post Budget 2012 rate-bands.  These payments are being reviewed under a new Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pension calculation which includes provision for homecaring periods.  My Department has already written to these pensioners to explain the process.

Last week I signed the necessary regulations, which together with the  provisions in the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registrations Act 2018, allows the increased payments to be made on foot of the reviews.  The Department  has already started issuing the outcome of reviews and the first increased payments will issue this week, in line with my previous commitments to this House. 

These increased payments will include arrears to the 30th March 2018, or the pensioner’s 66th birthday if later than that.  Where pension rates do not increase as a result of this review, they will continue to be paid at their existing rate of entitlement.  No one will be worse off as a result of this review. 

Where possible, my Department will use information already held to assist in the reviews.  In some, but not all, cases additional information is required from pensioners about unexplained gaps in their social insurance record to complete their review.  In January, almost 24,000 requests for additional information were issued.  These requests included details on how to provide the required information using the Department’s online services.  Provision has been made for those who do not have access to a personal computer, or the internet by providing a dedicated telephone number to request paper forms which will issue over the next two weeks.

Given the numbers involved, it will take my Department a number of months to complete the reviews.  Around 120 additional temporary staff have been recruited to carry out this work as speedily as possible.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.