Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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170. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department with liaise with the relevant authorities in the UK with regard to pension contributions in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17494/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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According to the records of my Department, the person concerned reached pension age in 2009 and has not applied for a State pension (contributory) to date. Without a formal application the person’s pension entitlement cannot be determined. I have arranged for an application form to issue to them. Their pension entitlement will be investigated upon receipt of the completed application form and they will be notified in writing of the outcome.

A person reaching age 66 between 6 April 2002 and 5 April 2012 must have 260 Irish full-rate paid employment contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). According to the records of my Department, the person entered insurable employment in Ireland on 13 February 1961. During their period of employment covering the 1960/61 tax year to 1965/66 tax year inclusive, it appears that they do not satisfy the 260-contribution condition based on their Irish contributions alone.

Under European Union regulations, the insurance records of other Member States can be combined to satisfy this 260-contribution condition and give entitlement to a proportional or pro rata pension. Since the person concerned has a UK social insurance record, details of their UK contribution history will be requested from the UK pension authority as part of my Department’s investigation of their pension entitlement. The person’s entitlement to an pro rata pension State pension (contributory) will be determined when this record is made available. The person will then be notified in writing of the outcome.

The person concerned should therefore include all details of their Irish and UK employment(s) when submitting their pension application. In the course of our investigations, my Department may query a contribution record from another country with the relevant pension authority if it appears that a record does not correspond with the information available to us. However, if it is confirmed that all employment details held have been provided, and a claimant considers that contributions are missing from that record, it would be a matter for the claimant to pursue this enquiry with the relevant pension authority.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.