Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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198. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way a person (details supplied) might qualify for partial old age pension based on their contributions notwithstanding previous decisions in this regard; if all known contributions have been taken into account as well as homecare for a parent subsequently; if all such contributions can be merged and used in the calculation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38448/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 19 June 2020.

Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State Pension (contributory) (SPC). 520 full-rate contributions equates to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment. According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 204 full-rate contributions which falls short of the requisite 520 full-rate contributions for the standard SPC.

To qualify for a Mixed insurance pension based on their full-rate and modified rate contributions, 520 employment contributions are required, of which at least 260 must be full-rate employment contributions with the remainder made up of modified rate contributions. As the person concerned has 204 full-rate contributions, this falls short of the requisite 260 full rate contributions required for the Mixed insurance pension.

The HomeMakers scheme and HomeCaring Periods scheme offer credited contributions/periods to those who left insurable employment to provide care. HomeCaring credits were awarded in respect of the claimant's children. However, there was no mention of care provided in respect of a parent. In any event, these credited contributions cannot be used to satisfy the 520 paid contribution requirement for standard SPC or the 260 paid contribution requirement for the Mixed insurance pension.

If the person concerned considers that there are additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to Social Welfare Services, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384.

If the person concerned has provided full time care to incapacitated dependents for 20 years or more (1040 weeks), it is open to them to apply for long-term carers contributions. If eligible, the equivalent of paid contributions will be attributed to cover gaps in their contribution record. The periods of caregiving do not need to be consecutive. The quickest way to apply for long-term carers contributions is online at MyWelfare.ie.

Where a person aged 66 or over does not satisfy the conditions to qualify for SPC or qualifies for less than the maximum rate, they may instead qualify for the State pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested payment with a maximum payment of 96% of the SPC

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.