Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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239. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on a pro-rata State pension (contributory) application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38426/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 25 November 2020. They applied for State pension (contributory) on 17 May 2021. According to the records of my Department, they have a total of 143 paid full-rate Irish social insurance contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for standard State pension (contributory) based solely on their Irish social insurance record. They were notified of this decision in writing on 26 May 2021.

The person’s entitlement to a pro rata State pension (contributory), based on their combined Irish and UK contribution records, is under investigation. Their UK social insurance record has been requested from the UK pension authority. As soon as this information is provided, a decision can be made on the person’s pension entitlement and they will be notified in writing of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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240. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on a pro-rata widow’s contributory pension application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38428/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Entitlement to Widow(er)’s or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension is based on the social insurance record of either the applicant or their deceased spouse or civil partner. In order to qualify, a person must have a minimum yearly average of 24 contributions based on either their own or their late spouse’s Irish insurance record. The person concerned has a yearly average of 14 contributions. Her late spouse did not have any Irish social insurance.

Under European Union Regulations, a person’s social insurance record in one or more EU countries can be combined with their Irish social insurance record, to determine entitlement to a proportional or pro rata pension. The Department contacted the relevant pension authority in the UK requesting the UK contribution record for the person concerned. The reply, just received, indicates that the person concerned does not have any contributions paid in the UK. Therefore, there is no entitlement to a pro rata pension under their own record. As their late spouse did not have any Irish social insurance there is no entitlement to a pro rata pension based on his record either.

A decision letter has issued to the person concerned today.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.