Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

119. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that UK social insurance contributions were not taken into account when calculating a contributory pension application for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34712/22]

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

The person concerned reached pension age on 17 March 2022. An application for the State Pension Contributory was received on 6 April 2022.

Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for a standard contributory pension. 520 full-rate contributions equates to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment. According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 460 full-rate contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for a standard contributory pension.

The person was notified in writing of this decision on 1 June 2022, and they were also informed that their entitlement to a pro-rata pension would be examined, taking the contributions of any other relevant countries into consideration, and that they would be informed of the outcome.

A copy of the person’s contribution record and an application on their behalf was forwarded to the Department for Work and Pensions in the UK on 7 June 2022. My Department also requested a copy of their UK record. When this record is received, their entitlement to a pro-rata pension will be examined and they will be notified of the decision in due course.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.