Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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105. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to review the case of a person (details supplied); if matters will be clarified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21704/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 15 January 2025.

To be eligible for the standard state pension (contributory) an individual must have at least 520 full-rate contributions. To qualify for a mixed insurance pension, 520 employment contributions are required, of which at least 260 must be full-rate contributions with the remainder made up of modified contributions.

The records of my Department show the person concerned has a total of 123 full-rate reckonable paid contributions. As this falls short of the requisite 520 full-rate contributions for the standard state pension (contributory) and the 260 full-rate contributions for a mixed insurance pension, the person concerned was notified on 2 October 2024 that they did not qualify for a pension.

This decision was appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The decision to disallow the pension was upheld by the Appeals Officer.

Earned income is liable for PRSI regardless of future pension entitlement. The class A contributions paid by the person concerned during the 1990s are not considered reckonable for pension purposes as they were paid as part of subsidiary employment.

Since 1 January 2024, a person can claim their state pension (contributory) at any age between 66 and 70. This allows a person to continue to pay PRSI after age 66 to improve their contribution record. It is open to the person concerned to take up insurable employment or self employment to increase their full-rate contributions and apply for their state pension (contributory) at a later stage.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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106. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21706/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS), administered by my department through the Community Welfare Service (CWS), was activated on 23 January 2025 to assist householders affected across the country by Storm Éowyn.

According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for a HAS stage 1 payment to assist with the additional costs incurred as a result of Storm Éowyn. I am pleased to advise you that the person concerned has been awarded a payment towards the additional costs incurred as a result of the enduring power outages. The person concerned will be notified of this outcome in writing and payment will issue to their nominated bank account in 2 – 3 working days.

I trust this clarifies the matter.