Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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681. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to review a case (details supplied); to review the four questions/points outlined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44809/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In general, public servants who joined prior to 6 April 1995 paid modified contributions which are not reckonable for the standard state pension (contributory). However, such employees generally have an occupational pension, the level of which is related to a number of factors, including years of service.

To be eligible for the standard state pension (contributory) an individual must have at least 520 full-rate contributions. To qualify for a mixed insurance pension, 520 employment contributions are required, of which at least 260 must be full-rate contributions with the remainder made up of modified contributions.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has 476 paid contributions which falls short of the requisite 520 full-rate contributions for the standard state pension (contributory). The person concerned also has 83 credited full-rate contributions in addition to 1,040 paid and 888 credited modified-rate contributions. As the person concerned paid modified contributions, their entitlement to a mixed insurance pension was examined. A mixed insurance pension was awarded from 5 November 2023 at the weekly rate of €62.40 per week, or 22.08% of the maximum rate.

In relation to caring periods, the Home Caring Periods cannot be used to satisfy the 520 reckonable paid contribution requirements. If the person concerned was caring for at least 1040 weeks (20 years) they may qualify for Long Term Carers contributions which can be used to satisfy the 520 requirements. The person concerned can apply online via their MyWelfare account under the Pension Caring Supports option.

In relation to the contributions paid in the HSE, my Department has requested an up-to-date copy of the modified contribution record. On receipt of this, their entitlement will be reviewed. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome.

Where a person qualifies for less than the maximum rate of state pension (contributory), it is open to them to apply for one of the following:

• The means-tested state pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested payment (based on their share of household means) with a maximum payment of 95% of the State pension (contributory); or
• An increase for a qualified adult (based on their own means), amounting up to 90% of a full rate state Pension (contributory) pension where their spouse has a contributory pension.