Mr. Ciar?n Lawler:

I want to clarify that the interim total contributions approach, which will become the de facto total contributions approach, requires a ten-year minimum for paid contributions and that has been the situation for over ten years. With ten years paid contributions plus 20 years of home caring periods, that totals 30 years out of 40, or a three quarters pension. What has also been approved by the Government, and this was something that was particularly called for by carers groups and was looked at by the Pensions Commission, is a pension for long-term carers, particularly carers who have been caring for an incapacitated child or relative. All of the period of care in those circumstances will be counted towards a pension payment.

There is no cap, as it were, for long-term carers in those situations.