Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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271. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the grounds upon which an application for a top-up of the State pension was refused in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30469/23]

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 who have a legal right of residence and habitually reside in the State, and who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or only qualify for a reduced-rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.

The state pension non-contributory application submitted by the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds of failure to provide sufficient evidence of habitual residence. A letter issued to the person concerned on 13 June 2023 outlining the decision and the reason(s) for the disallowance.

These further representations from the Deputy are accepted as a request for a review of the person's application. A further letter has been issued to the person setting out evidential requirements to determine their possible entitlement. On receipt of the requested documentation, a Deciding Officer will review the person's eligibility for state pension non-contributory and the person will be notified of the outcome in writing.

Separately, it is open to the daughter of the person concerned to apply for carer's benefit or carer's allowance in respect of care provision to the person. Application forms for both schemes are available at any INTREO Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office, or Citizens' Information Office, or can be downloaded at the following links:

www.gov.ie/en/service/2432ba-carers-allowance/.

www.gov.ie/en/service/455c16-carers-benefit/.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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272. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if recently attributed home carer credits will entitle a person (details supplied) to a top-up on their State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30470/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 21 May 2023. An application form for State Pension (contributory) was received on 22 February 2023.

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.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 347 full-rate contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for State pension (contributory).

They were notified in writing of this decision on 20 April 2023, provided with a copy of their social insurance record on which the decision was based, and afforded the right of review and appeal.

Both the Homemaker’s Scheme and Home Caring Periods can be used to improve a person’s rate of pension entitlement. However, a person must firstly satisfy the qualifying conditions for State Pension (contributory) to avail of either of these schemes.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.