Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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317. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide a statement of contributions regarding the eligibility of a person (details supplied) for the State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47002/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The date of birth of the person concerned is 18 March 1966 and under current eligibility conditions, they will reach pension age on 18 March 2032.

Pension entitlement can only be assessed on the basis of the eligibility conditions applicable on the date an individual reaches pension age. Factors such as an individual’s social insurance record, their attachment to the workforce, and their countries of employment affect the rate of pension entitlement. It is advisable that all contributors maintain their social insurance record as fully as possible over their working life.

Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). 520 full-rate contributions equate to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment.

A comprehensive suite of information in relation to current state pension entitlements is available on www.gov.ie. Information is also available from my Department's offices and from the Citizens Information Services.

It is open to contributors to request a copy of their social insurance record from the Department at any time. In addition to seeking the record through normal postal means, a person can also access their social insurance record in real time online where they have a verified MyGovID account. Information on getting a verified MyGovID account is available on www.mygovid.ie. As the Deputy is aware, I also announced that a PRSI contribution statement service would be made available in the future as part of the reform of the State pension system.

I have arranged for a copy of the person’s social insurance contribution record to issue to them.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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318. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will ensure that all of those in receipt of the State pension receive the same increase in Budget 2023, guaranteeing that there are no penalties for those who took time out of their working life for caring responsibilities; and if she will confirm that this will be the case for a person (details supplied). [47003/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 30 July 2012 and applied for State Pension (contributory) on 28 March 2012.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 1697 paid and credited social insurance contributions giving a yearly average of 34 contributions. This gives entitlement to a current weekly rate of €248.30 which is 98% of the maximum rate of State pension (contributory).

The Deputy will be aware that I have been considering a range of options for Budget 2023 including increases in weekly rates of payment to all Social Welfare recipients, including those in receipt of pensions.

Details of the 2023 Budget package will be announced by the Minister for Finance today.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.