John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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984.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide the record of payments of the State pension from 2007 to date relative to a person (details supplied); the reason they are not on the maximum rate for the State pension (contributory); the reasons they are not in receipt of the pension now; if the record of their contributions will be provided; and if their entitlement to other benefits as a pensioner will be examined.[34996/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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State pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a 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 income from employment, foreign pensions, 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 holds, are assessable.

The person concerned was in receipt of State pension non-contributory with effect from 20 June 2003. Following a review of the person’s entitlement, it was established that their means exceeded the weekly statutory limit and their entitlement to the payment was terminated with effect from 30 June 2022.

The person concerned was notified of this decision on 15 August 2022, together with the reasons for the decision and their right, if dissatisfied with the decision, to request a review of the decision, or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

A statement of the person’s state pension non-contributory payments has issued to them, in respect of the period 1 January 2007 to 30 June 2022.

The person concerned applied for State pension contributory in 2007 and qualified for a reduced rate pension, based on their social insurance record. As State pension non-contributory was in payment at a higher rate, the person concerned was better off financially to remain on State pension non-contributory.

A review of the person’s entitlement to State pension contributory has now been conducted and a decision letter issued on 23 August 2024, informing the person of their entitlement to pension at the current weekly rate of €148.70. A copy of their contribution record is enclosed with this decision letter. A request for information regarding the person's preferred method of pension payment has also issued, along with application forms for Fuel Allowance and Living Alone Allowance. Upon receipt of a reply to this letter, State pension contributory will commence payment and arrears of pension due from 1 July 2022 will issue.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.