John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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133. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of people approaching the State pension age of 66 years within the remainder of 2025 who do not have the required social insurance contribution record to qualify for the State pension (contributory); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34798/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department’s officials have estimated that approximately 3,800 individuals approaching the State Pension Age of 66 years within the remainder of 2025 do not have the required social insurance contribution record to qualify for the State Pension (Contributory). The figure for all of those attaining State Pension Age in 2025 is just over 8,000.

The data my Department holds includes large numbers of individuals with fewer than 10 years of paid social insurance contributions, of whom many will no longer reside in the State. Therefore, to focus on those likely to be still resident in the State, my Department's officials have restricted the results to individuals who have had a social insurance record or who have been in receipt of a payment from the Department since 2019.

Furthermore, the figures above exclude those already receiving Widow/er's/Surviving Civil Partner Contributory Pension or Invalidity Pension or individuals with greater than 10 years modified rate social insurance contributions. These individuals are likely to have a pension payment from this Department or another public service body.

With reference to the full-year figure of 8,000:

• Approximately 4,000 total individuals who do not qualify at State Pension Age for State Pension (Contributory) each year will receive the State Pension (Non-Contributory) or an Increase for Qualified Adult payment. On this point, circa 2,000 individuals have zero weeks of full-rate paid contributions.
• Approximately 2,800 individuals who do not attain 10 years' paid contributions at State Pension Age each year will receive a pro-rata contributory pension when their record is combined with periods working overseas or as a modified contributor (pre 1995 public servant)

• Data for self-employed contributors for 2024 will be incomplete until filings for that year are complete.
• The figures refer to those who qualify for State Pension (Contributory) by month of attaining age 66 (rather than by the year in which the claim is awarded).
• The data was extracted effective the end of May 2025.