John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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101. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of her Department’s work towards introducing a total contributions approach for the State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38817/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government intends to introduce a Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to establishing level of entitlement for all new state pension contributory claims from 2020 onwards (TCA2020). I launched a public consultation on this proposal earlier this year in May.

The consultation sought input on a range of relevant factors which included the amount of contributions needed for a full rate contributory state pension, the amount of credited contributions a person could avail of, the provision of homecaring periods and whether there would be a "phase-in period" for the changes.

The online consultation lasted for over 3 months and closed on 3 September. We received over 270 responses from both individuals and representative organisations.

An analysis of the views submitted is now being undertaken and feedback will be published on the Department's website.

Following examination and consideration of the submissions to the consultation, my officials will prepare proposals for the design of the new approach for consideration by the Government in due course.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.