Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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353. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if additional contributions can be paid by a person (details supplied) to secure the minimum contributions required for a contributory pension, or if there are there any further options available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22920/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 10 September 2015. An application for State pension (contributory) was received from them on 25 July 2016.

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 416 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.

As the person concerned reached pension age in 2015, it is not open to them to pay additional contributions towards their pension. One of the criteria to become a voluntary contributor is that the person must have paid a minimum of 520 paid contributions. In this case, the condition has not been satisfied.

The enhanced State pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for 20 years or more was introduced from 1 January 2024. If the person concerned has over 20 years of caring for an incapacitated person, Long-Term Carers Contributions will be included in their pension calculations. An online application for Long-Term Carers Contributions is available on MyWelfare. If the person concerned is awarded Long-Term Carers Contributions for 20 years or more, my Department will review their entitlement.

Where a person does not qualify for State pension (contributory) or qualifies for less than the maximum rate, it is open to them to apply for one of the following:

• State pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested payment with a maximum rate of payment of 95% of the State pension (contributory); or
• A spouse or partner in receipt of State pension (contributory) could apply for an increase for a qualified adult with their pension, amounting to up to 90% of a full rate State pension (contributory) pension. This increase is means assessed on the means of the qualified adult only and may be paid separately to the qualified adult.