Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

353. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide an update on the provision of a pension for carers; when she expects these pension entitlements to commence; what the limitations of the scheme will be; how long will a person have to have been a carer; the progress on establishing a register of family carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18961/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This Government acknowledges the important contribution that carers provide and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, the current State Pension (Contributory) system gives significant recognition to those whose work history includes an extended period of time outside the paid workplace, often to raise families or to provide another full-time caring role. PRSI Credits, Home-making Disregards and Home Caring Periods recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate.

Despite these measures, some long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State Pension (Contributory). They may for example have difficulty establishing the minimum number of 10 years' paid contributions.

I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system in September. The measures are in response to the Pensions Commission’s recommendations and represent the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system.

One of the most important reforms agreed by Government is enhanced State Pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years. It will do this by attributing the equivalent of paid contributions to long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution record. My Department will develop a system to register those caring periods so that the relevant contributions can be attributed to a long-term carer.

My officials are currently working to implement the reforms, including the drafting of legislation and development of administrative and IT systems as necessary.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.