Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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429. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide an update regarding legislation to abolish mandatory retirement ages, given the recommendations of the report of the Pensions Commission which propose that the Government addresses current legislation governing mandatory retirement ages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10967/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system on 20th September 2022. The measures, which were approved by Government, are in response to the recommendations from the Commission on Pensions. The set of measures represent the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system.

One of the measures announced is that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will introduce measures that allow, but do not compel, an employee to stay in employment until the State Pension age. Officials in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment are working on these measures.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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430. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide an update on an application for State pension (contributory) in the name of a person (details supplied); and if her Department has any agreement with the Netherlands regarding pension contributions. [10972/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 3 May 2022. The application for State Pension (contributory) was received on 11 October 2022

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. As the person concerned does not have the minimum of 520 full-rate paid Irish contributions they do not qualify for an Irish state pension (contributory) based on their Irish contribution history alone.

Since the person concerned resided in the Netherlands, their pension entitlement to a pro rata State pension (contributory) is under investigation, based on a combination of their Irish insurance record with their insurance records in the Netherlands. Upon receipt of the relevant information from the Dutch pension authorities, the person’s pension entitlement will be reviewed and they will be notified in writing of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.