Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1110. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if eligibility for a State pension (contributory) in the case of a person (details supplied) can be reassessed following the payments for 2019 and 2020 being paid in full; when a decision is likely to be reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29602/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 02 April 2022.

In general, to qualify for the State pension (contributory) a person must have at least 520 paid contributions and satisfy a yearly average test (a yearly average of 48 contributions paid and/or credited is required for a maximum rate pension).  

Section 110 (1) of The Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, provides that a Self-Employed contributor shall not be regarded as satisfying the qualifying conditions unless all outstanding self-employment contributions are paid.

As the person concerned has outstanding self-employment liabilities for the years 2019 and 2020, the person was advised on 08 March 2022 that they were deemed not to satisfy the qualifying conditions for a State pension (Contributory).  This decision was reviewed on the 30March 2022 and 02 June 2022,; but the liabilities remain outstanding.

Where outstanding self-employment liabilities are paid subsequent to an applicant reaching pension age, State pension (contributory) will be awarded from the date on which self-employment liabilities are deemed as paid in full.  

It is open to the person to contact this Department when their outstanding liabilities have been paid in full and their entitlement to a state pension (contributory) will be reviewed.  It is also open to them to apply for the means-tested state pension (non-contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% that of the maximum rate of the state pension (contributory).

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1111. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps that her Department is taking to ensure that those caring for loved ones at home will be entitled to a State pension (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29605/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Government acknowledges the important role that carers play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role.  Accordingly, the State Pension (Contributory) system already includes a comprehensive range of measures including PRSI Credits, Homemaker's Disregards and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods (of up to 20 years) outside of paid employment in the calculation of a pension payment.

The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” includes a commitment to examine options for a pension solution for carers, the majority of whom are women, particularly those of incapacitated children, in recognition of the enormous value of the work carried out by them.  

The Pensions Commission was established in November 2020 to examine the sustainability of the State Pension system and the Social Insurance Fund.  The Commission’s terms of reference included consideration of how people who have provided long-term care for incapacitated dependents can be accommodated within the State Pension system.  

The Pensions Commission’s Report was published on 7th October 2021.  It established that the current State Pension system is not sustainable into the future and that changes are needed.  The report set out a wide-range of recommendations, including enhanced pension provision for long-term carers (defined as caring for more than 20 years).  

In the interests both of older people and future generations of older people, the Government is considering the comprehensive and far reaching recommendations in the Pensions Commission’s Report very carefully and holistically.  My officials are examining each of the recommendations and consulting across Government through the Cabinet Committee system.  The views of the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands and the Commission on Taxation and Welfare are being considered as part of these deliberations.I intend bringing a recommended response and implementation plan to Government for its consideration in the coming weeks.  

It is clear from the Commission’s work that State Pension reform is necessary and it is complex.  It would be a strategic risk not to plan and provide for projected demographic changes, not least in terms of income adequacy for older people.  The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland.  It is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty.  This Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case for current pensioners, those nearing State Pension age and today’s young workers including those who are only starting their careers.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1112. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps that she will take to ensure that national insurance credits earned by a person (details supplied) while working in the United Kingdom are duly credited to this person’s contribution record, for the purpose of ensuring they receives the appropriate State pension (contributory) payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29606/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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An application for the State Pension Contributory (SPC) was received on 11th January 2021.  At that time, it was determined that the person concerned had a total or 1495 reckonable paid/credited contributions during the period 1971 to 2020 which resulted in a yearly average of 31.  Based on this information the person concerned was awarded SPC at the weekly rate of €223.20 from 25th November 2020.

The insurance record from the Department of Work and Pensions in the UK was received on 7th June 2022.  The records held by my Department were updated to include the UK contributions giving the person concerned a total of 1774 reckonable paid/credited contributions for the period 1971 to 2020 resulting in a yearly average of 36.

The person concerned is currently in receipt of €227.70 per week which is the personal rate payable based on a yearly average of between 30 and 39 contributions.  As the yearly average following review is 36, it resulted in no change to the rate payable. 

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.