Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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371. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated additional cost of introducing a total contribution approach to the State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36453/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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A policy to introduce the Total Contributions Approach (TCA) to pensions calculation was adopted by Government in the National Pensions Framework in 2010, as was the decision to base the entitlements of all new pensioners on this approach from around 2020. The introduction of a TCA approach is a key feature of the Government's 'Roadmap for Pensions Reform'.

In January 2018, the Government introduced an interim “Total Contributions Approach” (TCA) which includes up to 20 years of a new HomeCaring periods. The provision for the HomeCaring Periods Scheme fundamentally changed the entitlement of many who spent time out of the workforce caring for others. It, for the first time, acknowledged home caring periods prior to 1994. Accordingly, those who have a 40 year record of paid and credited social insurance contributions, subject to a maximum of 20 years of credits/homecaring periods, qualify for a maximum contributory pension where they satisfy the other qualifying conditions for the scheme.

As the Deputy is aware, as part of the Programme for Government, a Commission on Pensions was set up to look at sustainability and eligibility issues with the State Pension and the Social Insurance Fund. The Commission will outline options for the Government to address issues such as qualifying age, contribution rates, pensions calculation methods and eligibility requirements. The Commission is due to report on its findings in the near future and the Government has committed to consider these findings within six months of their receipt.

Therefore, as a final design for TCA has not yet been decided upon by Government, it is not possible at this juncture to provide the requested costs.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.