Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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1436. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a contributory pension review for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19185/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 based 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.

The person concerned was awarded a reduced rate state pension (contributory) in 2013.  Following the award in 2014 of state pension (contributory) to their spouse, the person was informed that their spouse could claim a more financially beneficial increase for them as their qualified adult.  Their personal rate of state pension (contributory) was withdrawn in favour of this higher rate increase from that time.  

In March 2019, the person concerned submitted an application for HomeCaring periods.  Following review of their entitlement, they now qualify for maximum rate state pension (contributory) in their own right.   This outcome has been issued to the person concerned.  The person has been transferred to their own payment and arrears of payment backdated to 30 March 2018, the effective date of the new arrangements, will issue shortly.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.