Dáil debates
Thursday, 7 December 2023
Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions
Pension Provisions
11:10 am
Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
96. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on the pension entitlements being worked on for carers by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54071/23]
Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
This is a simple enough question. Can the Minister of State give an update on the pension entitlements being worked on for carers by his Department, and outline-----
Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I do not have this.
Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
It is the next question, in the name of Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan.
Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I am sorry.
Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I am taking Questions Nos. 96, 99 and 101. It is my field day.
The question is, what are the changes to caring credits? I know they are very beneficial and long-term carers are included but the Minister of State might outline what they are.
Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
This Government acknowledges the important role that carers play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, the current State contributory pension system provides measures including PRSI credits, home-making disregards and the home caring periods to recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate.
Last September, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, announced a series of landmark reforms to the State pension system. The measures are in response to the Pensions Commission's recommendations and represent the biggest ever structural reform of the State pension system.
One of the key pension reform measures announced is the introduction of enhanced State pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependants for 20 years or more. It will do this by attributing the equivalent of paid contributions to these long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution record for the periods that they were caring for an incapacitated dependent.
The measure will be available to individuals who reach State pension age from 1 January 2024 and will also be available to people currently over pension age. They will be able to apply for these contributions and receive a State contributory or enhanced pension from 1 January 2024 where eligible.
In September, my Department launched an online system for people to register for long-term caring contributions. This will facilitate the expeditious processing of these contributions upon enactment of the legislation. The Minister, Deputy Humphreys introduced the legislation to give effect to these measures in the Dáil last month and I expect the legislation to be enacted by the end of the year.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
If I heard the Minister of State right, if somebody is caring for over 20 years, the 520 rule does not apply any more. They will be able to get paid credits for part of that period and therefore if they have not achieved the 520, they can bring it up to 520 contributions. I would like the Minister of State's confirmation that I understand it right because this is of huge significance for people who have worked maybe five to nine years. I had one case recently where somebody had done nine years and 51 weeks. They had been caring for a disabled son since. This seems to say that they are going to be able to get that paid credit. That would be of major importance.
The Minister of State might confirm something else for me. It is related but not exactly on the same topic. Are all of these changes to means testing, including the carer's allowance means test, all coming in on 1 January, except for child benefit? I am aware that child benefit is not.
Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The short answer to the Deputy's first question is that I understand that is the case. I will read out some detail on that with regard to the evidence that people can provide to prove those 20 years. If a customer was in receipt of carer's allowance, carer's benefit, the carer's support grant or the domiciliary care allowance, he or she will have met the qualifying conditions for the pension caring support. For long-term carers' contributions, this will also require a duration of care of over 20 years. If a person was not in receipt of carer's allowance, carer's benefit, the carer's support grant or the domiciliary care allowance, he or she will be asked questions regarding the care provided and will be asked to provide supporting documentation to confirm that both he or she and the caree meet the qualifying conditions. Relevant supporting documentation may include medical certificates or documents including birth certificates, marriage certificates if applicable, earnings details and any other information that may be relevant for the purpose of establishing the entitlement. The short answer is, yes, there are other ways of assessing the 20 years beyond the contributions.
11:20 am
Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I welcome that because it will make a huge difference, along with the change in the means test for the carer's allowance, which is getting nearer to the target the social welfare committee was heading towards and the recommendation of a disregard of the first €500 for a single person and the first €1,000 for a couple. It is getting much nearer to that, at €450 and €900, respectively. Will the Minister of State confirm that measure will come in on 1 January next year?
Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I cannot confirm that. I do not know the status of the means test, in particular with regard to carers. There is an overall review of means testing in general, of which that may be a part. If that is the case, it will not be implemented on 1 January 2024 but I am open to correction on that. There have already been 1,000 applications in the new credits system for the State contributory pension system for carers. We expect that when people become eligible for it we should be able to turn decisions around in a few weeks. People can log their credits in real time online so there does not have to be a trawl back into their history. They will be able to use an online system and enter their credits on an annual basis to help provide the 20-year record.