Written answers

Tuesday, 22 March 2022

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

State Pensions

Photo of Pauline TullyPauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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37. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to introduce a dedicated State pension for long-term family carers to ensure that they receive a full pension entitlement equivalent to the maximum State pension (contributory);; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14855/22]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Pensions Commission’s Report was published on 7th October 2021.  It established that the current State Pension system is not sustainable into the future and that changes are needed.  The report set out a wide-range of recommendations in relation to the State Pension system and Social Insurance Fund.  It also recommended that long-term carers (defined as caring for more than 20 years) should be given access to the State Pension (Contributory) by having retrospective contributions paid for them by the Exchequer for any gaps in their contribution history arising from that caring. 

The Government agreed in October 2021 that the Commission’s report and recommendations would be referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands and also to the Commission on Taxation and Welfare for its views.  The Committee published its views on the 2nd February 2022 and the Commission on Taxation and Welfare submitted its comments on the PRSI related recommendations at the end of February.  The various views will be considered carefully as part of the Government’s deliberations over the coming weeks. 

In the interests both of older people and future generations of older people, the Government intends to consider the comprehensive and far reaching recommendations in the Pensions Commission’s Report very carefully and holistically.  My officials are examining each of the recommendations and consulting across Government through the Cabinet Committee system. 

I think it is really important that we complete that work before reaching conclusions on any one recommendation, such as the recommendations related to long-term carers.  In this regard, I intend bringing a holistic recommended response and implementation plan to Government in April.  

As the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland, the State Pension is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty.  This Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case for current pensioners, those nearing State Pension age and today’s young workers including those who are only starting their careers.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

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