Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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75. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the pension provisions for foster parents that have to be in the home when carrying out this vital role but are only entitled to credits while the children in their care are under 12 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25940/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The home-makers scheme makes qualification for a higher rate of State pension (contributory) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme, which was introduced in and took effect for periods from 1994, allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age (or caring for incapacitated people over that age) to be disregarded in the calculation of the yearly average of the pensioner. This will generally have the effect of increasing the yearly average of the pensioner, and may result in a higher rate of pension, depending on their circumstances. Claims continue to be subject to the standard qualifying conditions for State pension contributory also being satisfied, including the requirement that 520 contributions be paid.

Foster parents are entitled to the benefits of the homemakers scheme, on the same basis as other homemakers, and will qualify if the carer is in receipt of Child Benefit. If the foster parent is not in receipt of Child Benefit they can still qualify for the home-makers scheme if the caring periods are confirmed by TUSLA (these are cases where caring is for a short period of time).

The scheme is limited to the age of 12 (except where the child is incapacitated), and most children over that age will be in secondary school until mid-afternoon. This should facilitate such foster parents returning to the workforce, either on a part-time basis, or by availing of a few hours after-school childcare each day. Expanding the scope of the scheme would have a financial cost which would have to be considered in the context of the budgetary process.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.