Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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313. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to examine a contributory pension in respect of a person (details supplied) and address any discrepancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8835/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 26 March 2018. A State Pension (contributory) was awarded from the 26 March 2018.

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 1,366 reckonable paid contributions and 211 credited contributions from 1968 to 2018. This equates to a yearly average of 32 which gives entitlement to a state pension contributory at a current weekly rate of €260.10. A yearly average of 48 is required in order to qualify for the maximum rate.

I have arranged for a copy of the social insurance record of the person concerned to issue. If they consider 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.

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) where their spouse has a contributory pension.