Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government acknowledges the important contribution carers provide and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, the current State pension system gives significant recognition to those whose work history includes an extended period of time outside the paid workplace, often to raise families or provide another full-time caring role. PRSI credits, homemaking 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 dependants may still face barriers in accessing the State pension. They may, for example, have difficulty establishing the minimum number of ten years' paid contributions.

I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State pension system in September. The measures are in response to the recommendations of the Commission on Pensions 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 dependants for more than 20 years. It will do this by attributing the equivalent of paid contributions to long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution record and by establishing a register of family carers for this purpose. Department officials are currently working to implement the reforms, including the drafting of legislation and development of administrative and IT systems, as necessary.

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