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

I take the Deputy's point about carers who, on getting a review, are cut off. While I cannot make any promises now, I will look at that. I am ensuring that long-term carers who have spent 20 years or more caring will be able to access the State pension from January 2024. Legislation has to go through the Houses and I am hoping to get it passed very quickly. It will be a big change to the social welfare system. We will provide carers with paid contributions for the time they spent caring and those who missed out will be able to reapply. There are people who currently do not get the carer's pension but who will be able to reapply when I bring in these changes.

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