Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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440. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection whether a procedure/method exists whereby a person (details supplied) can care for her two elderly parents but also accrue credits towards her State pension given as she does not appear to qualify for the State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14753/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State Pension (contributory).

The person concerned will reach 66 years of age in 2033. Pension entitlement can only be assessed on the basis of the eligibility conditions applicable on the date an individual reaches pension age. Factors such as an individual’s social insurance record, their attachment to the workforce, and their countries of employment affect the rate of pension entitlement.

The current State Pension (contributory) system gives significant recognition to those whose work history includes an extended period of time outside the paid workforce, often to raise families or to provide another full-time caring role. PRSI Credits, Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate.

PRSI Credits are designed to protect the social insurance entitlement record of insured workers who are not in a position to make PRSI contributions. In order to qualify for credits, a person must first have entered insurable employment and have paid at least one PRSI contribution at Class A, B, C, D, E, H or P.

In general, credits can only be awarded where an individual has had a recent attachment to the workforce, i.e., within the last two years. Self-employed class S contributions are not reckonable toward the award of credits. Persons in receipt of carer's allowance can qualify for credits where they have previously entered insurable employment and paid at least one PRSI contribution at Class A, B, C, D, E, H or P and where they have had a recent attachment to the workforce.

Despite the measures currently in place, I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system last September including enhanced State Pension provision for people caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years. It will do this by attributing the equivalent of paid contributions to long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution record. Department officials are currently working to implement the reforms, including the drafting of legislation and development of administrative and IT systems for implementation by January 2024.

It is advisable that all contributors maintain their social insurance record as fully as possible over their working life. It is open to contributors to request a copy of their social insurance record from the Department at any time. In addition to seeking the record through normal postal means, a person can also access their social insurance record in real time online where they have a verified MyGovID account. Information on getting a verified MyGovID account is available on www.mygovid.ie.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.