Written answers

Friday, 7 September 2018

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

State Pensions

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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1314. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the legislation to implement changes to the State pension system regarding the previous changes made in 2012 will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36800/18]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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On 23 January last, this Government agreed to a proposal that will allow pensioners affected by the 2012 changes in rate bands to have their pension entitlement calculated on a Total Contributions basis, including provision for up to 20 years of a new home caring credit.

Legislation has to be enacted to enable implementation of these arrangements, and a number of options regarding the best approach to passing that legislation are being considered. In addition, an information technology system has to be developed in line with the legislation.  My Department is currently working on both of these projects. 

As I have stated previously, it is still planned to commence the reviews before the end of this year, with the first payments being made in the first quarter of 2019, backdated, where relevant, to the end of March 2018.

It is not necessary for people to contact the Department on this matter.  Once the legislation is enacted and the systems and processes are ready, my Department will write to the people impacted and provide them with the opportunity to have their pension calculation reviewed.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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