Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

257. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) has not been able to obtain a full contributory State pension; the way this can be addressed in the context of their circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62981/22]

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

The person concerned reached pension age on 09 May 2019. According to the records of my department an application for State Pension (contributory) was received on 12 July 2022.

The person concerned has a total of 694 reckonable paid and credited social insurance contributions from 14 September 1970 to the end of December 2018. This equates to a yearly average of 14 contributions giving an entitlement to 40% of the State Pension (contributory) rate of payment. This is the correct rate commensurate with the social insurance record as held by my Department.

To qualify for State Pension (contributory) at the maximum rate, the person concerned would need a yearly average of at least 48 contributions. Contributions paid after a person’s 66th birthday are not currently reckonable for pension purposes.

The claim was reviewed on 17 August 2022 with no change to the rate of payment. If the person in question considers that additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to my Department and their pension entitlement will be reviewed.

The person concerned has appealed the decision and this appeal has been submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Officer on 02 November 2022.

It is also open to them to apply 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). I have arranged for a State Pension non-contributory application form to issue to them.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

258. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if and when the State pension will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied) who is a vulnerable person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62983/22]

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

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.

An application for state pension (non-contributory) was received from the person concerned on 4 August 2022. The case was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector to investigate the means of the person concerned.

Following receipt of the Inspector's report and further information requested from the Wards of Court Office, the Deciding Officer has decided the person concerned is entitled to a state pension (non-contributory), at a reduced rate, with effect from 17 June 2022.

Payment of pension and arrears from 17 June 2022 will issue to the person's bank account on 16 December 2022.

A letter issued to the person concerned on 13 December 2022 outlining this decision and offering the right, if dissatisfied with the decision, to request a review or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.