Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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52. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review the position of foster parents that are in receipt of homemaker credits but can only qualify for this while foster children are under 12 years of age in view of the fact that their responsibilities continue after 12 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50592/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, 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 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 contributions of the pensioner. This will generally have the effect of increasing the yearly average and may result in a higher rate of pension. 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 both natural parents and foster parents returning to the workforce, either on a part-time basis, or by availing of a few hours after-school childcare each day.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.