Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

319. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a decision on their contributory pension application. [34039/21]

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

The person concerned reached pension age on 24 June 2021.  Under current eligibility conditions, an applicant must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for State pension (contributory) - 520 full-rate contributions equates to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment.

The person has a contribution record of 312 paid full-rate social insurance contributions, which falls short of the required 520 paid full-rate contributions. Modified contributions can be combined with full-rate contributions and credits to give an entitlement to a mixed insurance pro- rata State pension (contributory), provided the applicant has 260 full-rate contributions.

As the person concerned has modified contributions, having worked in the HSE during the period 1981/82 to 2012 their entitlement to a mixed insurance pro rata State pension (contributory) was examined. They have been awarded this payment at 20.33% of the standard rate State pension (contributory). The decision letter issued to them on 21 June 2021.

In order to assess a potential entitlement to an EU pro rata state pension (contributory) based on Irish and UK contributions, my Department will request a copy of their UK social insurance record.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.