John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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418. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he has provided, as requested, the record of contributions made by a person (details supplied); if she qualifies for credits as a homemaker; if she will qualify as an adult dependent on her husband's contributory pension in June 2025. [26808/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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A contribution statement issued to the person concerned on 14 November 2024.

To qualify for the standard State pension (contributory) you need a minimum of 520 paid contributions in the first instance. The records of my Department show that the person concerned has 123 paid contributions which falls short of the minimum requirement.

A Pension Caring Supports application was received from the person concerned in November 2024. A letter issued to the applicant on 12 December 2024 requesting further information regarding a period of care from 28 August 2017 to 26 August 2024. The person concerned was also advised that long-term carers contributions are used in the calculation for state pension (contributory) if a minimum of 1040 weeks (20 years) were awarded. A response has not been received in my Department.

The HomeMakers scheme has been awarded to the person concerned from 6 April 1994 to 10 March 1997. HomeCaring Periods have also been awarded from 21 March 1982 to the 10 March 1997. These can be used to improve a persons rate of state pension (contributory). They cannot however be used to satisfy the requirement to have 520 full rate contributions.

An increase for qualified adult (IQA) is a means-tested payment, payable to a claimant whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed a means test income limit.

Where a qualified adult has weekly means of up to €100, the maximum rate of IQA is payable. Where their weekly means are over €100 and not more than €310, a tapering reduced rate of IQA is payable. If the qualified adult has means of more than €310 per week, this exceeds the means limit and there is no entitlement to an IQA payment. Where property or assets are held jointly, the qualified adult's means are assessed as half of the total amount. The family home is not included in the means assessment. Eligibility for this allowance can only be determined on receipt of a completed application form which, to date, has not been received. I have arranged for an application form to issue.

It is also open to the person concerned to apply for State pension (non-contributory). This pension is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for State pension (contributory), or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. For the purposes of the means test, cash income, including any additional pension(s), the value of any property (excluding a person’s own home), and the value of any savings and investments which a person or their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant hold or co-hold, are assessable.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.