Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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229. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is receiving a lesser amount in their contributory pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46903/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned applied for state pension contributory in August 2016 and was awarded a reduced rate based on a yearly average of 17.  The persons payment was reviewed under a new Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pension calculation which included provision for homecaring periods.

In March 2019, the person concerned submitted an application for HomeCaring periods and all periods applied for have been awarded.  

Following the award of HomeCaring periods a review took place which resulted in an increase to a rate of 76.73% of maximum pension (or €190.60).  This represented an increase on the person's previous pension payment rate of €161.80.  Arrears of payment, backdated to 30 March 2018 issued by cheque.

A re-examination has now taken place with additional contributions added for the persons 66th year. The person has 769 reckonable paid contributions which when combined with 801 HomeCaring Periods and 76 reckonable credits results in a payment rate of 79.13% of maximum pension (or €196.50).

A review outcome letter has issued to the person concerned, detailing their new rate of payment. Arrears of payment, backdated to 30 March 2018 will be included with the next payment.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.