Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

One of the major reform measures was the enhanced State pension provision for those who have been caring for incapacitated dependents of 20 years or more.

It is being done by attributing the equivalent of pay contributions to such long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution records for the period in which they were caring for an incapacitated dependant. The measure is available to those who reach State pension age from 1 January 2024 and to those currently over the pension age.

In September 2023, we launched an online system for people to register for long-term caring contributions. We continue to work with people on this. This is the first time that a pension provision has been made for carers. This discussion follows that with Deputy O'Shea just now, on supporting carers and giving them the backup they need in their older years.

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