Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We are not looking for an opinion on the qualifying requirements. I accept Mr. Duggan's clarification, but here is my point. There is still a 20-year requirement. There is an issue with the recognition of care. Effectively, it still functions as a disregard. It is not a situation where care provision is fully recognised. For example, somebody who has worked for 20 years will not access the same pension as somebody who has worked for ten years and provided cared for ten. In the long term it is good that the care credit is being recognised as an element. However, persons who have provided cared for ten years are not going to benefit from it as an active care credit in the calculation of pension. Their position has not been made better by much. Those who happen to have 20 years of contributions will be fine, but there will be those who will be on a reduced rate.