Written answers
Wednesday, 20 March 2024
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Benefits
Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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759. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a contributory pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12637/24]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The records of my Department show that the payment details of the person concerned were sent to the Revenue Commissioners as part of our usual reporting in both 2023 and 2024.
I have arranged for pension statements for 2023 and 2024 to issue to the person concerned which they may wish to forward to the Revenue Commissioners directly to assist with resolving the issue.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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760. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; if they can pay contributions to augment their contributory pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12676/24]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned is claiming their state pension (contributory) from 7 April 2024.
According to the records of my department, the person concerned has a total of 1,446 contributions and credits from 1973 to 2024 giving a yearly average of 28. Based on this record, the State Pension (contributory) has been awarded at the reduced weekly rate of €249.30 from 7th April 2024.
As the person concerned was employed in the public service, they will be considered for a mixed insurance pension. Officials in my Department have contacted the relevant Department and await a copy of the modified insurance record.
Officials in my department have also contacted the person concerned requesting information on their employment in the UK. On receipt of this information, their entitlement to a pro-rata pension will be examined.
Voluntary contributions are designed to facilitate employees or self-employed persons, who are no longer subject to compulsory PRSI, to pay contributions directly to the Department on a voluntary basis, in order to protect future entitlement to State pension (contributory) and Widow(er)’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (contributory) pension.
In order to be admitted as a voluntary contributor, a person must apply within 60 months (5 years) after the end of the contribution year in which they last paid compulsory insurance or in which they were last awarded a credited contribution, prior to the year for which they wish to pay voluntary contributions.
As the person concerned has a full record of paid contributions in the last 5 years, the option of paying voluntary contributions does not arise.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
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