John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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429. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department will provide a record of the insurance contributions made by a person (details supplied); the way that the figure of €22 was calculated as a State pension (non-contributory) in their case; if they will be included as an adult dependent on their spouse's State pension (non-contributory) when they qualify at the same rate that they are now on through their spouses jobseeker’s claim. [52751/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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State pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. For the purposes of the means test, cash income, including any additional pension(s), the value of any property (excluding a person’s own home), and the value of any savings and investments which a person or their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant hold or co-hold, are assessable.

An application for state pension (non-contributory) was received from the person concerned on 3 August 2022. The Deciding Officer determined that the means of the person concerned entitled them to a weekly rate of €22 state pension (non-contributory). The person was notified of this decision on 12 October 2022. The person was also informed that it was more financially beneficial for them to remain as a qualified adult on their spouse’s jobseeker's benefit claim and on that basis their state pension (non-contributory) claim was withdrawn. The letter also advised the person concerned of their right, if dissatisfied with this decision, to seek a review of, or to appeal, the decision.

A copy of the state pension means assessment was provided to the person concerned. The Department’s Client Eligibility Service has also issued a copy of their social insurance record, as requested.

The spouse of the person concerned may now wish to apply for state pension contributory. As part of this application, they have an option to apply for an increase for qualified adult in respect of the person concerned. An application form for state pension contributory has been issued to the person's spouse. On receipt of the completed form, their spouse's entitlement to state pension (contributory) will be assessed (including any increase for qualified adult applied for) and they will be notified of the outcome in writing.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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430. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52760/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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This Government acknowledges the important role that carers play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, the current State Pension (Contributory) system provides for a range of measures including PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods (of up to 20 years) outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate.

Those whose pensions were decided prior to September 2012 (i.e., who were born prior to 1 September 1946) were not affected by the Budget 2012 rate band changes. Consequently, people whose pensions were calculated under the 2000-2012 rate bands were subject to a significantly more generous regime than those who qualified before or afterwards, as a Yearly Average of only 20 contributions per year (out of a maximum requirement of 48) could attract a 98% pension.

The State pension system already provides recognition to those whose work history includes an extended period outside the paid workplace, often to raise families or in a full-time caring role.

This is provided through the award of credits and/or the application of the Homemaker’s Scheme (under the Yearly Average method for payment calculation) and/or the application of HomeCaring Periods (under the Aggregated Contribution Method, also known as the interim Total Contributions Approach).

Since April 2019, all new State (Contributory) Pension applications are assessed under all possible rate calculation methods, including the Yearly Average and the interim Total Contributions Approach, with the most beneficial rate paid to the pensioner. The elements which make up each method are set out in legislation.

It should be noted that if a person does not satisfy the conditionality to qualify for State Pension (Contributory), they may qualify for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory). Alternatively, an Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) is paid, generally, where a pensioner has an adult dependent (e.g., a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant who is financially dependent upon him/her), who does not have enough contributions to claim a maximum rate State Pension (Contributory) in his/her own right. The payment rate for the IQA is up to 90% of a full contributory pension. The most advantageous payment for a pensioner will depend upon their individual circumstances.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.