Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The means test or carers test is a hugely important issue right across the country. When somebody goes on carer's benefit, they get two years on it. The State considers that they are coming off paid employment or maybe part-paid employment. This brings me back to Deputy Tully's point on the retrospective payments. When people who have been carers for in excess of 20 years find that they cannot get a contributory pension, they have to depend on their spouse's income as they are left with none. What should happen is that the carer's benefit should be extended beyond the 104 weeks. It should be extended indefinitely if that is needed. That is a possible way of getting around this issue. When the State recognises that a person on carer's benefit is taking leave of his or her job, the PRSI contribution - "stamp" is probably an outdated term now - should be continued so that when he or she reaches pension age there is an entitlement there. That might be an easier way of underpinning people's rights to pensions as well. The carer's benefit should continue indefinitely as long as it is needed. In addition, a contribution should be acknowledged within that. Is this something the witnesses can think about and come back to the committee on?