Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 2 June 2013. An application form for State Pension (contributory) was received on 4 April 2013.

To qualify for State Pension (contributory), 520 full-rate paid contributions are required which equates to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment. According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 54 full-rate contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for State pension (contributory).

They were notified in writing of this decision on 22 April 2013, provided with a copy of their social insurance record on which the decision was based, and afforded the right of review and appeal.

The person applied for the Home Caring Periods (HCP) on 22 July 2023. A decision letter issued to the person informing them that HCP was awarded for the period 14 September 1974 to 26 November 1990. While both the Homemaker’s scheme and Home Caring Periods can be used to improve a person’s rate of pension entitlement, a person must firstly satisfy the qualifying conditions for State Pension (contributory) to avail of either of these.

In September 2022, I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system. The measures are in response to the Pensions Commission’s recommendations and represent the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system.

One of the most important reforms agreed by Government is enhanced State Pension provision for people who have been 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.

The Long-Term Carer's Contributions (LTCC) will be available to those who provided full time care for 20 years (1040 weeks) or more to an incapacitated dependent. The periods of care-giving do not need to be consecutive. I expect to bring the legislation required to introduce the LTCC before the Oireachtas soon, with the scheme being fully implemented from January 2024. This month, my Department launched an online system for people to register for LTCC. This will facilitate the expeditious processing of LTCC upon enactment of the legislation.

The person concerned also applied for a State Pension Non Contributory on the 30 May 2013. This was disallowed as their means exceeded the statutory limits. It is open to them to re-apply for the State Pension (non-contributory) if their financial circumstances have changed since 2013. The maximum rate payable equates to 95% of the maximum rate of state pension (contributory).

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.