Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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493. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she is aware of an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5828/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned reached pension age 66 on the 26 May 2022.

Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions 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 490 full-rate contributions which falls short of the requisite 520 full-rate contributions for the standard state pension (contributory). Their application for the state pension (contributory) was disallowed on the 18 May 2022.

A review was undertaken of the insurance record of the person concerned. This case was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector who met with the person concerned to review their insurance record. A letter issued to the person concerned on 28 July 2023 informing them that their social insurance record was correct.

On the 13 December 2023, the person concerned appealed the decision of 18 May 2022 to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Having examined the case, the Appeals Officer upheld my Department’s decision and the person concerned was notified of the outcome in writing on 31 May 2024.

I have arranged for a copy of their contribution record be sent to them.

Where a person qualifies for less than the maximum rate of state pension (contributory), it is open to them to apply for the state pension (non-contributory). This is a means-tested payment (based on their share of household means) with a maximum payment of 95% of the State pension (contributory).

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.