Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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214. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which the mother of a person (details supplied) qualifies for a top-up pension on the basis of her entitlement in her home country, and potentially in this country, in respect of a pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16045/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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State pension contributory is payable, from age 66, to applicants who satisfy certain eligibility conditions based on the number of social insurance contributions (paid and credited) they hold over their working life. In certain cases, where an applicant has had periods of insurable employment both in Ireland and in another EU member state, or in a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement, they may have an entitlement to a pro-rata state pension contributory.

State pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, legally and 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 person concerned does not have any record of insurable employment in Ireland. In order for their entitlement to state pension non-contributory to be examined, it is necessary for them to complete and submit an SPNC1 application form. To assist the person concerned, this form has been issued to them by post, should they wish to make application. On receipt of the completed pension application, the person's eligibility will be examined and they will be notified of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.