Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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53. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on the long-term carers contribution scheme; the number of applications received to date; the number approved; the number rejected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8028/24]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I am looking for an update on the very welcome long-term carers contribution scheme, or the pension for carers. I am asking for all the details, specifically the number of applications to date, the numbers approved and rejected, and the number of applications the Minister expects under the scheme.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. One of the key pension reform measures I introduced from January this year is to enhance State pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependants for 20 years or more. To date, 2,746 applications have been received from people requesting that a caring period be included on their social insurance contribution record. These are in respect of 2,113 individuals as some people register for more than one caring period. Some 2,275 of these applications for a caring period have been allowed. The remaining applications are pending as further information is awaited. There have been no disallowances to date.

Of all those who have had caring periods allowed, 821 have cared for periods of over 20 years and will thus qualify for long-term caring contributions, which can be used for contributory State pension purposes. Of these, 402 are aged over 66 years. Some 113 carers who were aged 66 prior to 2024 have had their entitlement to a State pension contribution examined, or their rate reviewed, following the award of 1,040 or more long-term caring contributions.

Some 47 carers who were previously disallowed were awarded a contributory State pension from 1 January 2024; 48 carers were awarded an increased rate with the inclusion of their caring contributions; eight carers were already in receipt of the maximum rate of contributory State pension; and a decision is pending in the case of ten individuals. In addition, four carers who have turned 66 since the start of 2024 have been awarded 1,040 or more long-term caring contributions and the contributory State pension.

I hope the Deputy agrees that this scheme is key to recognising the role that long-term carers provide in society. I thank the Department's staff, as well as groups such as Family Carers Ireland for their support in developing this scheme and making it happen.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I started by welcoming the scheme and describing it as very positive. The figures the Minister has given are interesting. How many applications does the Minister anticipate? What analysis has been done on that? Of the 2,746 applications so far, 2,113 were from individuals. This means some applicants have registered for more than one care period. Does that mean they have done two 20-year care periods? Have some of them done that? Given that the minimum is 20 years, does that mean that those who done more than one care period have cared for 40 years or more?

I welcome that no applications have been refused or disallowed so far, with some cases still pending. Is there a review built in to the scheme? Is there an appeal mechanism available in the case of a refusal? Does the Minister have enough staff to capture what is happening with regard to the number of contributions and applications and to do an ongoing analysis of the scheme?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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We have the applications that are in now. We opened the scheme up for applications some time ago to give people a chance. I cannot say exactly how many will apply but the good news is, as the Deputy said, that none have been disallowed to date. I do not have the specific details of the different carers who have made applications but I can ask the officials if they can give me a further breakdown. I would be happy to supply that to the Deputy.

We all value the work of our carers. My Department will spend over €1.7 billion this year on support payments to carers. In fairness, if the Deputy looks at my record, improving support for our carers has been a key priority for me during my three and a half years in the Department of Social Protection. In November, a €400 lump sum was paid to people receiving the carer's support grant. A Christmas double payment was paid to people in receipt of the carer's allowance and the carer's benefit. I have increased the domiciliary care allowance in successive budgets and the payment is now up to €340 per month. It is important to note that the domiciliary care allowance is not means-tested. I have also increased the weekly carer's payment by €24 over the last two years.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I just wanted to share that information with the Deputy. My apologies.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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More information would be very helpful because it is a very positive scheme. I had a woman in my office who, for the first time, is applying for a payment in her own right, having minded someone for over 20 years. She did not get any payment. The breakdown would be very important because under the criteria, someone who worked more than 16 or 18 hours per week is not entitled to the payment. Is there any flexibility around that where someone had another job for a number of hours each week, say, in a community employment scheme?

I asked the Minister if there was a review or appeal mechanism in place. One of the recommendations of the Pensions Commission was the establishment of a family carers register. Has progress been made on that?

I cannot praise this scheme enough but I need more details to be able to explain it to constituents who contact me. What period of time is envisaged? How many people will come forward? There must have been an analysis of this undertaken by the Department, particularly with regard to a review or appeal mechanism and flexibility.

Why was the 20-year period chosen? Could there be a 15-year period? Is there any flexibility around that or will there be a review of it?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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This scheme is for over 20 years. The home caring payment or credits are in place for periods of up to 20 years. We wanted to expand that and we came up with the scheme for longer term carers.

As with all schemes in my Department, there is always an appeals mechanism. The family carers register has been set up and we have worked very closely with Family Carers Ireland. In fairness to FCI, it has done a lot of work to create awareness around this scheme. I would hate to think we would be in a position where people were not aware of it. We are doing everything we can to make people aware of it and we want them to submit an application. There have been no refusals to date. We will continue to look at how we can improve the scheme.

I want to see the referendum on care passed on 8 March because a "Yes" vote will certainly strengthen my hand and the hand of every future Minister when it comes to enhancing and improving the supports for care in the future. I believe a "Yes" vote for care will mean we go forward, not back. We have achieved a lot but there is more to do.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I might have a different view on that.