Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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279. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a contributory pension was not awarded to a person (details supplied); the other options available at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22041/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 10 March 2014.

They are currently in receipt of an increase for a qualified adult on their spouse’s state pension (contributory) at the maximum weekly rate. This is equivalent to just under 90% of the maximum personal rate of state pension (contributory).

An application for state pension (contributory) was received in September 2013 for the person concerned. 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 458 paid contributions which falls short of the minimum requirement. I have arranged for a copy of their contribution record to issue to them. 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.

An application for state pension (non-contributory) was received in September 2013. As their means exceeded the statutory means limit, they did not qualify for this pension. If there has been a change in the means of the person concerned, it is open to them to re-apply for this pension.

If the person concerned has provided full-time care to incapacitated dependents for 20 years or more (1,040 weeks), it is open to them to apply for long-term carers contributions. If eligible, the equivalent of paid contributions will be attributed to cover gaps in their contribution record. The periods of caregiving do not need to be consecutive. The quickest way to apply for long-term carers contributions is online at MyWelfare.ie.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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280. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the median time to process carer’s allowance reviews and appeals currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22079/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The median time taken for decision reviews of Carer's Allowance claims carried out under the appeals process for 1 January - 31 March 2025 was 4.9 weeks. Note that this does not include decision reviews carried out outside the appeals process, as statistics for these are not maintained by the DSP. This is measured from the time the appeal is registered to when the decision is made by the DSP officer.

The median time taken for appeals of Carer's Allowance claims for 1 January - 31 March 2025 was 19.0 weeks. This is measured from the time the appeal is registered with the Appeals Office to when the final decision (Revised by a DSP Officer, Allowed, Partially Allowed, or Disallowed by an Appeals Officer) is made.

Note that after an appeal is submitted, there are two stages to an appeal. First, the appeal goes back to the scheme area in DSP where the original decision on the claim was made, for review by a DSP officer. If the DSP officer decides to revise the decision, then the appeal is granted. If the decision is not revised, then it goes to an Appeals Officer in the Appeals Office, who can then either allow, partially allow, or disallow the appeal.

The time taken to process appeals reflects the need to consider each decision in detail and, in many cases, to examine additional information submitted at appeal stage and, in some cases to seek further information by way of correspondence or oral hearing. The Chief Appeals Officer continues to monitor processing times and every effort is made to reduce the time taken to process an appeal. However, the drive for efficiency must be balanced with the competing demand to ensure that decisions are consistent and made in accordance with the provisions set out in primary legislation and regulations

The Chief Appeals Officer has put in place measures to deal with the increase in appeals received during 2024. 20 additional staff were assigned and attended training during December 2024 and January 2025. They have now been appointed as Appeals Officers and are making decisions on appeals. In addition new Appeals Regulations have been signed to come into effect from April this year, which provide, among other things, for simpler processes and specified response times. These should further help to reduce processing times.