Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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503. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding the application for a contributory pension and arrears that may have issued or are due in respect of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13977/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 13 May 2020. They applied for State pension (contributory) on 5 June 2020. The person has a contribution record of 340 paid full-rate social insurance contributions. As their contributions fall short of the required 520 paid full-rate contributions to qualify for standard State pension (contributory), their claim was disallowed. The person was notified in writing of this decision on 18 June 2020, and provided with a copy of their social insurance record on which the decision was based.

Provisions exist for the award of a mixed insurance pro rata state pension, where a person has periods of PRSI coverage from employment in the public or civil service. The pro rata pension entitlement of the person concerned was assessed as 20.45% of the maximum pension rate, based on their combined social insurance record of 486 full-rate contributions and credits plus 1,890 modified-rate contributions and credits. This is the correct rate of pension commensurate with their contribution history. In the calculation formula for a mixed insurance pro rata state pension, the more full-rate contributions that a person has, the higher the rate of state pension payable. Conversely, the more modified contributions used in the calculation, the lower the rate of pension payable.

The person concerned has been notified in writing of this decision on 26 June 2020. Payment and arrears have issued for collection in the person’s designated post office.

An increase for qualified adult (IQA) is a means-tested increase which may be payable with the State pension (contributory). It can be awarded to a person whose spouse/civil partner/co-habitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source do not exceed a means test income limit, based on the means held solely or jointly by the qualified adult.

The person concerned applied for the IQA on 5 June 2020 with their pension application. Additional information regarding means was requested on 18 June 2020. When this information is received, a decision can be made regarding eligibility for the IQA payment. They will be notified of the outcome in writing.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.