Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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401. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that foster parents and carers are not entitled to the State pension if she is giving consideration to addressing this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58871/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Matters related to foster caring are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Tusla.

More widely, this Government acknowledges the important role that carers play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, the current State Pension (Contributory) system provides for a range of measures including PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate. Foster carers are entitled to the benefits of the Homemaker’s Scheme or HomeCaring Periods, on the same basis as other carers, and will qualify if the carer is in receipt of Child Benefit. If the foster carer is not in receipt of Child Benefit, he/she can still qualify for HomeMaker's Disregards and HomeCaring Periods provided the caring periods are confirmed by Tusla.

Despite the existing measures within the State Pension system that recognise periods spent caring, long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State Pension.

I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system on 20th September 2022. The measures, which were approved by Government, are in response to the Pensions Commission's recommendations. The set of measures represent the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system. One of the reforms agreed by Government is enhanced State Pension provision for long-term carers of incapacitated dependents (who have been caring in excess of 20 years), as recommended by the Pensions Commission, and to be introduced from January 2024. This will be implemented through:

- A scheme to ensure that long-term carers can be attributed with contributions for gaps in their contribution record arising from their time spent caring; and

- The establishment of a ‘Family Carer Register'.

My officials are working to implement the reforms, including the drafting of legislation and development of administrative and IT systems as necessary. As part of the work to implement the new scheme, relevant Government Departments, and other stakeholders, will examine options for the creation of a statutory ‘Family Carer Register’ to help identify long-term carers.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.