Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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384. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will arrange to issue a decision on an application by a person (details supplied) for the State pension (non-contributory). [6506/23]

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 contributory state pension, 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. Following contact with the Deputy's office, the person's eligibility for state pension non-contributory will be examined on receipt of their completed application form (together with any necessary supporting documentation) and the person concerned will be notified in writing of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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385. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been deemed not entitled to the maximum old age pension (contributory) given they have been making full-time social welfare contributions since inheriting the family farm in the late 1980’s; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6507/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned will reach pension age on 13 March 2023.

Calculation of entitlement to State pension (contributory) is based on their social insurance record from their date of entry into insurable employment until pension age.

PRSI for self-employed was introduced from 6 April 1988. Under social welfare legislation, if an applicant became a self-employed contributor on 6 April 1988, and at any time prior to that date was an employed contributor, the date on which the applicant first entered into insurance or the 6 April 1988, whichever is the more favourable to them, shall be regarded as the date of entry into insurance. In this case, the person concerned became a self-employed contributor in 1989, therefore the date of entry is taken as the first date they entered insurable employment, 1980.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 1830 qualifying paid and credited social insurance contributions for the period from their date of entry into insurable employment, 1980 to 2023 which equates to a yearly average of 43 contributions. A yearly average of 48 contributions is required to receive the maximum rate State Pension (contributory).

The person concerned has been awarded the State Pension (contributory) from 13 March 2023 at the current weekly rate of €260.10. This is commensurate with the social insurance record held by my Department.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.