Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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522. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he will award credit for caring role played by applicant and the special circumstances of this case to award contributory pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15690/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 25 July 2014. An application for State Pension (contributory) has not been received in my Department.

To be eligible for the state pension (contributory), an individual must have at least 520 paid contributions. The records of my Department show the person concerned has 312 paid contributions from 1993/94 to 2013 which falls short of the minimum requirement.

Recipients of farm assist/jobseekers allowance (formerly unemployment assistance) were exempted from paying PRSI on their self-employment incomes (up to 31 December 2006). Accordingly, no Class S contributions were due in respect of the tax years 1999/00 to 2006 (inclusive) for the person concerned.

It is not open to the person concerned to pay voluntary contributions as they do not meet the criteria.

A number of reforms were introduced to the state Pension (contributory) including a provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years (1,040 weeks). If the person concerned has been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years, it is open to them to apply for long-term carers contributions (LTCC). If the criteria are met, the equivalent of paid contributions may be attributed to cover gaps in their contribution record. The periods of caregiving do not need to be consecutive. I have arranged for a pension caring supports application form to issue to the person concerned.

The person concerned is currently in receipt of a reduced rate state pension (non-contributory) of €230.50 plus €22 increase for living alone, €33 fuel allowance and €2,50 telephone support allowance. On foot of the information received in your representation, my Department will review the state pension (non-contributory).

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.