Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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103. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of people that have been added to the family carer register under the long-term carers contribution scheme; the number awarded the full-rate State pension under the scheme; the number of whom have been awarded a reduced rate, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21715/25]

Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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I wish to ask the Minister the number of people who have been added to the family carers register under the long-term carers contribution scheme, the number that have been awarded the full-rate State pension, and the number that have been awarded a reduced rate.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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We have had this discussion a few times today and the Government acknowledges the important role that carers are playing and we will continue to support them in that role. The enhanced State pension provision for people who have been caring for an incapacitated dependant for 20 years or more was introduced on 1 January 2024. If a person had more than 20 years of caring for an incapacitated person, long-term carers contributions are included in his or her pension calculations. An online application for long-term carers contribution is available through mywelfare.ie.

My Department continues to review State pension contributory applications where customers are awarded long-term carers contributions for 20 years or more and are in receipt of a reduced rate or payment. Application forms for the contributory State pension issue to people who have not applied for their pensions.

Details of people who were awarded 20 years or more long-term carers contributions and the numbers being awarded a full rate and reduced rate State pension are included in the table going to the Deputy.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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I thank the Minister. We have spoken about this already today, as the Minister rightly said. It is encouraging to see the number of people who have been rewarded. We have spoke about women and their contribution. That is reflected in the numbers the Minister has presented. They are the ones that unfortunately had to stay at home in many cases to look after children. They get their due reward through this 20-year contribution that the Government has made. It is worthwhile and positive that we have the figures now so that we can encourage more people to apply for it. I look forward to more people availing of this contribution, and rightly so, for the work they have done in the home over so many years.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with the Deputy. In our preparation for responding to his question, I have asked that we do more work in terms of reaching out to people who may qualify but who may not know. Those figures strike me as low. The Department has been doing a lot of work in this space in terms of trying to bring the scheme to people's attention. Maybe with the support of colleagues across the House, we can do that by way of newsletters and so on. We will be doing more work this year to draw people's attention. Many carers may not realise that they can now qualify for a contributory pension or may not have had the chance to actually see that they do. We will be proactive in trying to bring people's attention to it.

Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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The Minister is 100% right. One of the main questions I get in my clinics when people come in to fill out applications for a State pension is about the qualifying contributions and so on. It is important that we all broadcast this and put it on our social media and everywhere else we can, as the figures are low. It is a start but we need to encourage more people to avail of it and to get their just reward for what they have done over those 20 years. I look forward to working with the Minister on that promotion and ensuring that people get their reward over the coming period of time.