Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she recognises the shortcomings of the Home Makers Legislation 1994; if she will make some sort of provision for parents or carers from pre 1994 to close the gaps in their PRSI records for pension purposes. [28045/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The homemaker's scheme which is effective since 1994, allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age or incapacitated adults to be disregarded when a person's social insurance record is being averaged for pension purposes. To be eligible for the homemaker's scheme, a person must satisfy a number of qualifying conditions that includes having a minimum of 520 full rate contributions and a yearly average of at least 10 contributions over their working life.

There are no plans to extend the date of the homemaker's scheme. The introduction of a homemaker's credits to replace the current disregard from 2012 is currently being considered.

People who do not qualify for the homemaker's scheme may qualify for a reduced rate of State pension (contributory). Alternatively, they may qualify for a higher rate of State pension (non-contributory) if they satisfy the means test.