Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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64. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision on a widower's pension application (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21938/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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To qualify for widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's contributory pension (WSCPCP), a person must satisfy certain social insurance conditions, based on either their own or their late spouse's or civil partner’s record.

As the person concerned does not meet the yearly average minimum requirement of 24, they do not qualify for a standard WSCPCP.

My Department assessed entitlement to a pro-rata pension under EU regulations, based on employment in Ireland and the UK. This can be on either their own or their late spouse's or civil partner’s record.

The Department for Work & Pensions, in the UK provided details of the UK social insurance record for the late spouse of the person concerned. Based on the combined Irish and UK social insurance contributions, the person concerned was awarded a WSCPCP at the personal rate of €20.00, plus €46.00 qualified child increase, per week from 6 October 2023. The widowed parent grant, a once-off payment of €8,000 for widows, widowers or surviving civil partners with qualified children, following the death of their late spouse was also awarded.

Entitlement to a pro-rata pension based on the combined Irish and UK social insurance record of the person concerned is also under consideration. My Department is awaiting details of the social insurance record of the person concerned from the Department of Work & Pensions. When the required information is received, their entitlement will be reviewed and they be advised of the rate payable based on their own record. The person concerned will be paid the rate that is financially more beneficial to them.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.