Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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568. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications for a State pension, contributory, received by her Department in the past 12 months; the number granted, refused or pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26549/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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During the past 12 months a total of 36,739 applications for State pension (contributory) were registered by my Department.  Of these, 33,669 claims have been finalised.  15,625 applicants qualified for State pension (contributory) and 6,781 applications were withdrawn where the persons concerned, although they qualified for pension, were already in receipt of a higher payment from my Department. Some 11,263 applicants did not satisfy the qualifying conditions for State pension (contributory).  The number of pending claims as at end-April 2021 is 7,586.

My Department is committed to ensuring that State pension (contributory) claims are processed as expeditiously as possible.  The operational target for State pension (contributory) claims is to have 90% of timely applications awarded (where qualified) by entitlement date, currently the applicant's 66th birthday. 

The State Pension Contributory Section in my Department processes pension applications in order of pension age, rather than date of receipt.  This ensures that, where possible, applicants will receive a decision in respect of their State pension (contributory) by date of entitlement. 

Processing of pension claims depends on the individual nature of applicants’ circumstances.  It is also dependent on the completeness of applications received and the availability of the required information.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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569. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applicants for a State pension, contributory, refused in the past 12 months on the basis of insufficient contributions; the number granted on appeal; if a mechanism exists for those deemed ineligible to supplement their contributions with a view to qualification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26550/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under current eligibility conditions, applicants must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory).  520 full-rate contributions equates  to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment over a person’s working life.  Calculation of an applicant’s entitlement to State pension (contributory) is based on their social insurance record from their date of entry into insurable employment until pension age, currently 66 years. 

According to the records of my Department, during the last 12 months, 5,881 State pension (contributory) applications were disallowed on the basis of having insufficient contributions, of which 3,805 remain disallowed. 

In some cases customers have settled their outstanding self -employed liability and subsequently qualified for pension. The Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, stipulates that a self-employed contributor shall not be regarded as satisfying the qualifying conditions for State Pension (Contributory), unless the person has paid self-employment contributions in respect of at least one year prior to reaching age 66 and all outstanding self-employment contributions have been paid by him/her in full.  Where contributions are paid subsequent to a claimant’s 66th birthday, State Pension (Contributory) can only be awarded from the date on which the self-employment liability has been fully discharged.  

It is open to applicants to request a review or to appeal the decision they receive regarding their eligibility for State pension (contributory).  Information as to whether the subsequent award of pension in 2,076 cases during the past 12 months was on the basis of a customer-requested review or formal appeal is not available at this time.  

Depending on an applicant’s individual social insurance history their entitlement is assessed under a number of different tests to determine if they qualify for a pension.  They may also have the option of applying to be a voluntary contributor. 

For those who do not qualify for the State pension (contributory), there are other state pension payments available, depending on an individual’s circumstances.  State pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested, residency-based payment for persons of pension age, based on the applicant's share of assessable household means.  The maximum rate payable equates to 95% of the maximum rate of state pension (contributory).  

If a person’s spouse has a State pension (contributory), the person may qualify for an Increase for qualified adult (IQA) payable with their spouse’s pension (means-tested on their own means). The rate of IQA payable may amount to 90% of the maximum State pension (contributory), depending on the rate of State pension (contributory) in payment to the person’s spouse and the person’s own means, solely or jointly held.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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570. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of cases in which the relevant contributions for the State old age pension have been refunded in which the applicant did not qualify on contribution grounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26551/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Where a person enters the social insurance system over the age of 56 they will not be able to make sufficient social insurance contributions to be awarded a State Pensions (Contributory) on reaching 66 years of age because it has a minimum contribution requirement of 520 contributions (i.e., 10 years).  In such cases a level of social insurance refund may be applicable. 

The Department made two such refunds in 2021 to date.

Further analysis of our records is required to extract similar information for the years 2017-2020 inclusive, as requested by the Deputy (in subsequent clarification).  Once extracted, the information will be sent to the Deputy's office.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.