Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 450: To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to introduce homemaker's credits for qualification for a State contributory pension as outlined in the national pensions framework; when such a scheme will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29728/10]

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 451: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the way the introduction of homemaker's credits for qualification for a State contributory pension will operate within the current pension framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29729/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 450 and 451 together.

The National Pensions Framework which was launched in March 2010 will introduce a system of homemaker's credits to replace the current system of disregards from 2012 and allow backdating to 1994 for the purpose of the averaging system that will continue until 2020. This means that people reaching pension age after the credits are introduced will have credits rather than disregards applied to their records to cover periods of care since 1994 (up to a maximum of 20 years).

Upon introduction of the total contributions approach in 2020, the maximum number of credits applicable for pension purposes will be 520 (i.e. 10 years). It is intended that a standard approach will apply to the various categories of people who receive credited contributions, including jobseekers and people with disabilities.

An implementation group chaired by my Department has been established to develop the legislative, regulatory and administrative infrastructure required to put the necessary changes into operation.