Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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222. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a Widow's, (Contributory) Pension by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28895/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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An application for widow(er)'s & surviving civil partner's contributory pension was received from the person concerned on 14/05/2021.

She does not have sufficient Irish contributions to qualify for a standard widow(er)'s & surviving civil partner's contributory pension on either her own or her late spouses insurance record. The minimum yearly average of contributions required is 24, while she has a yearly average of 14.

We have written to our counterparts in the UK to request a copy of her UK insurance record. When this is received, possible entitlement to a pro-rata widow(er)'s & surviving civil partner's contributory pension will be examined.

As the person concerned is over age 66 and there is a lower minimum yearly average requirement on state pension, an application form for state pension contributory has issued to her for completion and return to the Department.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.