Written answers

Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Social Welfare Benefits

Photo of Claire KerraneClaire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

530. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if voluntary contributions can be included as part of eligibility criteria for the benefit made available to persons retiring at age 65; if there is consideration of the need to include a wider scope of PRSI contributions for this payment in recognition of the varied circumstances that persons have worked throughout their lives and may not be able to do so as a result of illness in the years before they reach their State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25601/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Benefit Payment for 65 year olds was introduced in line with the Programme for Government to provide a benefit payment for 65 years olds, who must or who choose to retire at 65, but will not be eligible to receive a State pension until pension age, which is currently 66.

Applicants must satisfy the PRSI conditionality for payment which includes having a specified number of contributions paid in the Governing Contribution Year (GCY), which is the second last complete tax year. For example, for a claim in 2021 the second last complete tax year is 2019.

A person must have paid 104 PRSI insurable employment contributions at class A, H or P or paid 156 class S contributions if they are self-employed. The second contribution condition requires that a person must also have 39 reckonable contributions paid or credited in the GCY. At least 13 of these contributions must be paid. Where a person does not have 13 paid contributions in the GCY they can be from 2 years before the GCY, the last complete tax year or the current tax year; or they have at least 26 reckonable contributions paid in both the GCY and the year immediately preceding the GCY.

The reason for the requirement to have paid contributions in the manner set out in legislation is to demonstrate a recent attachment to the workforce.

People retiring at age 65 should, in most cases, meet the required PRSI conditionality. Where a person does not satisfy the contribution requirement for receipt of the new payment, they may be eligible to apply for means tested Jobseeker's Allowance subject to satisfying the conditions for that scheme.

There are no plans to amend the contribution conditions of the scheme at this time.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy. 

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

531. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a social welfare payment will be made available to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25612/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The person concerned submitted an application for a Jobseeker’s Allowance payment on 27/08/2020.  This application was disallowed as the person concerned did not satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition and did not provide evidence that his means were less than the weekly rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance appropriate to his circumstances. 

The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 05/11/2020 and was afforded the option of appealing the decision to a Deciding Officer or the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.  To-date a request for an appeal has not been received.

An application form for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment has been issued to the person concerned.  When the completed application form and any relevant supporting documentation are received the application will be assessed and the person concerned will be advised of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.