Emigratied - Irish State Pension question

I worked in an Irish Semi-State Company from 1978 to 2010. I then took voluntary redundancy and have emigrated (non EU country).

I made SW contributions all those years and would like to be able to claim my Irish State Pension at some point in the future. God knows I may need it - there's no such thing as SW where I am now!

I only recently copped on to the fact that, by the time I'm 67 (pensionable age?) I'll have made no contributions for a decade, and may have lost any entitlement to claim a pension.
I guess this situation applies to many Irish émigrés.

What can/should I be doing to preserve my rights to an Irish pension?

See www.welfare.ie

In particular, here:

http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/Pension/Pages/spc.aspx

You should not lose your State Pension, but I can't say that you'll get a full pension.

Read the rules.

Of course, this is separate from any occupational pension from your former employer.

As you worked for a Semi-State it's not clear what rate of PRSI you paid. If you have 30 years of class A contributions you will be entitled to a part State Contributory Pension.
You should request a copy of your contribution record from welfare.ie

There are ways of contributing extra to a pension. I would write to the pensions body in Sligo and ask your entitlements and whether you can contribute to increase your pension. Only accept their advice in writing and keep that reply letter in a very safe place.

Was this not all explained to you when you took your redundancy?

Voluntary contributions to a State Pension can only be made within one year of the last paid or credited contribution so if the OP was in receipt of JB up to March 2011 he may still be able to make voluntary contribs.

Application forms to become a voluntary contributor are available from welfare.ie and should be dealt with ASAP