Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

270. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a pension application by a person (details supplied). [49253/19]

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

The person concerned initially applied for State pension (contributory) on 28 October 2009 in advance of reaching pension age in December 2009.  They were assessed as having 22 paid full-rate social insurance contributions.  As their contributions fell short of the required 260 paid full-rate contributions to qualify for State pension (contributory), the claim was disallowed.  They were notified in writing of this decision.

The person re-applied for State pension (contributory) on 24 October 2019.  Their entitlement to both the standard State pension (contributory) and the mixed insurance pro rata State pension (contributory) was examined.  The person was again assessed with 22 full-rate contributions, which is less than the statutory minimum requirement of 260 full-rate paid contributions.  Their application was disallowed and they were notified accordingly in writing on 11 November 2019.

A copy of their social insurance record was included with the person's pension decision. If they have other periods of insurable employment or self-employment which they consider should be recorded, it is open to them to forward details to my Department and the matter will be examined.

The interim Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pension calculation, announced in January 2018, includes provision for homecaring periods, but does not apply to people who reached pension age prior to 1 September 2012. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.