Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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510. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to support a matter (details supplied); if the Latvian authorities responded on a pension issue; and if he will outline the process for the person to apply for a State pension. [6419/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 24 January 2025. An application for State Pension (contributory) was received on 06 November 2024.

On receipt of an application for State Pension (contributory), entitlement to the standard State Pension (contributory) is examined first. 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 401 full-rate contributions which falls short of the requisite 520 full-rate contributions for the standard state pension (contributory).

For those who do not qualify for the standard pension or who qualify for less than the maximum rate, entitlement to a pro-rata pension is then examined. This can include those who have paid modified-rate contributions or paid contributions in another EU country or a country with which Ireland has a bilateral agreement. In order to qualify for a pro-rata EU/Bilateral state pension, a minimum of 520 paid contributions is required across all relevant countries. A minimum of 52 Irish contributions are required, of which at least one must be a paid contribution. My Department contacts the pension authorities in the relevant countries directly to request a copy of the contribution records held.

A request for a copy of the Latvian contribution record for the person concerned was sent to the Latvian authorities on 15 January 2025. On receipt of the requested information, entitlement to a pro-rata EU State Pension will be examined and a decision letter will issue to the person concerned.

Where a person qualifies for less than the maximum rate of State pension (contributory), it is open to them to apply for 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).

In September 2022, a series of landmark reforms to the state pension system in response to the recommendations from the Pensions Commission were announced. One of the key measures under these reforms, which came into operation from 1 January 2024 was the introduction of a flexible pension system. This allows those reaching state pension age to defer access to their state pension (contributory) to any age up to the age of 70 and receive an actuarially adjusted higher rate of payment. The person concerned can also use the period between 66 and 70 years of age to build up additional contributions to establish entitlement.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.