Vol. 509 No. 1
264 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person on a pro rata old age contributory pension will only receive 37p of the £5 over 80 allowance payment; the plans, if any, he has to ensure that the full payment is paid to pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19537/99]
Old age contributory pension is paid by the Department on a pro-rata basis based on EU insurance where a person has been insurably employed in more than one member state. His or her pension is calculated according to the insurance record in each country, the rate of payment corresponding, on a pro-rata basis, to the periods of insurance completed in each country. This pro-rata principle also applies to the additional allowance of £5 a week payable where the person is over 80 years of age.
However, my Department is not aware of any situation where the application of the pro-rata principle would result in an increase in the over 80 allowance of the order referred to by the Deputy. If he supplies further details, I will have the matter examined.
265 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when an appeal for a pro rata contributory pension will be dealt with for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [19614/99]
The details of this case are as set out in my reply to the Deputy's question on 29 September 1999.
