Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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342. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the maximum amount of contributory pension for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5514/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 19 August 2012.  They are in receipt of the State Pension (contributory) at 75% of the maximum weekly rate. 

The Homemaker's scheme and Home Caring credits can be used to improve a person’s rate of State Pension (contributory). 

Under the Homemaker's Scheme any years spent as a homemaker since 6 April 1994 are ignored or disregarded when working out your yearly average contributions for the State Pension (Contributory).  The scheme supports people who gave up work to take care of a child under the age of 12 or an ill or disabled person aged 12 or over.  As the children of the person concerned were over 12 years of age in 1994, the criteria was not met.  However, if the person concerned cared for an incapacitated person over the age of 12, it is open to them to submit a completed application for the HomeMaker's scheme and request a review of their State Pension (contributory).  I have arranged for an application to issue. 

The HomeCaring Periods scheme applies to anyone who was born on or after the 01 September 1946.  As the person concerned was born before 01 September 1946, they are not eligible for Homecaring credits.

It should be noted that it is also open to the person concerned 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 matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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343. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for the State pension (non-contributory) in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5519/23]

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. 

The Department has no record of a state pension non-contributory application having been received from the person concerned. 

On receipt of a completed application form, together with any necessary supporting documentation, the person's eligibility for state pension non-contributory will be examined and they will be notified in writing of the outcome. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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344. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will enable all the pension contributions made in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5520/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) is a compulsory payment by employers and employees to the Social Insurance Fund in respect of insurable employment. PRSI contributions are divided into different categories, known as PRSI classes.  This determines the rate of PRSI a person is liable to pay and the social welfare benefits for which a person may qualify.  The class and rate of contribution paid is determined by the nature of a person's employment and their weekly earnings.  ‘Insurable employment’ is employment that is liable for PRSI contributions.

Prior to the 23rd June 2016, the named individual did not have permission to work in the State.  PRSI contributions made by a person who does not have a valid visa which allows him/her to work in Ireland cannot be treated as reckonable contributions to qualify for benefits under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005.  Therefore, after full investigation, it was decided that PRSI contributions prior to the date when the Stamp 1 was issued should be removed from the individual's record.  

If the individual has further evidence that he believes would change this decision, he should forward it to Client Eligibility Services, Department of Social Protection, McCarters Road, Buncrana, Co. Donegal.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.