John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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311. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the payment of State non-contributory pension will be restored in the case of persons (details supplied). [10287/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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On receipt of an application for State Pension (contributory), entitlement to the standard State Pension (contributory) is examined first. Under current eligibility conditions, a person must have 520 full-rate paid contributions to qualify for standard state pension (contributory).

According to the records of my Department, the first person concerned has a total of 320 full-rate contributions while the second person has 237 contributions. Both fall short of the requisite 520 full-rate contributions for the standard state pension (contributory).

Their entitlement to an EU pro-rata pension was then examined. In order to qualify for this 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 contacted the pension authorities in Poland to request a copy of their insurance record. The first person concerned had no contributions paid in Poland while the second person has 253 contributions paid in Poland. However, both persons fall short of the requisite 520 contributions for the EU pro-rata pension.

The state pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment with a maximum payment equivalent to 95% of the state pension (contributory). Entitlement to the state pension (non-contributory) payment was reinstated at the maximum rate for the first person concerned. The payment will be available for collection by the nominated payment method on Friday, 7 March. The second person was awarded the state pension (non-contributory) at the maximum weekly rate from 6 December 2024. This payment will also be available for collection by the nominated payment method on Friday, 7 March. Any arrears due will issue to both persons less any supplementary welfare allowance paid.

I have arranged for a copy of their insurance records to issue along with an application for the carers allowance to the first person concerned.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.