John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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541. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will be approved for payment of the maximum rate of State pension (contributory) based on the person's contribution record, the years spent out of employment raising a family and the care given to both parents from 2008 to 2017; if a review of the person's circumstances will be undertaken; and if a free travel pass will be issued. [46250/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned applied for State pension contributory on 28 June 2019. It was decided that they were entitled to a reduced rate of €211.40 which equates to 85% of pension. They were informed on 15 October 2019 that it was financially more beneficial for them to remain as a qualified adult on their spouses state pension (contributory). This payment will increase to €222.50 following their 66th birthday.

The person’s pension entitlement was also examined under the Total Contributions Approach, launched in January 2018, which provides for HomeCaring Periods for time spent out of the workforce for caring duties. The person concerned has a total of 550 reckonable paid contributions, which combined with the maximum permissible number of 1,040 combined HomeCaring periods and reckonable credits, results in a rate of 76.44% of the maximum rate of pension.

It is therefore financially more beneficial for the person concerned to continue to claim the increase for a qualified adult on their spouse's state pension (contributory).

Notification of the award of the Free Travel Pass issued to the person concerned on 22 October 2019.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.