Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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180. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review the refusal of application for a top up pension in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50479/23]

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.

Following the Deputy's previous representations in this matter, on 19 June 2023, a Deciding Officer wrote to the person concerned, setting out the evidential requirements to assess their satisfaction of the habitual residency condition, in order to determine their eligibility for a state pension non-contributory. To date, no reply has been received. Should the person be in a position to provide a verified record of at least five years continuous residency in the State, it is open to them to submit this evidence to the Department in order for their pension entitlement to be considered.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.