Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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140. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a review of the pension entitlement for a person (details supplied) can be carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18674/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 11 February 2012. They applied for State Pension contributory (SPC) on 13 September 2011.

According to the records of my department, the person concerned has a total of 331 paid full-rate social insurance contributions. This gave them an entitlement to SPC with a yearly average of 18. They were notified in writing of this decision on 10 October 2011.

At that time, an Increase for a Qualified Adult was in payment for the person concerned. The weekly rate of this payment was higher than the personal SPC rate . The person concerned was informed that they would continue on the more beneficial payment.

The person concerned continues to receive the Increase for a Qualified Adult at a rate of €227.00 weekly. Their current entitlement to SPC based on 331 paid full-rate social insurance contributions (yearly average of 18) is €190.00 per week.

The most beneficial rate of payment is still issuing for the person concerned. However, they can choose to be paid the SPC, which is based solely on their record of contributions.

If the person concerned considers they have additional unrecorded contributions or credits, it is open to them to forward relevant documentary evidence and my Department will review their entitlement.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.