Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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357. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on the pension entitlements being worked on for carers by her Department at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51984/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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 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.

Last September, 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 pension reform measures announced is the introduction of enhanced State Pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for 20 years or more. It will do this by attributing the equivalent of paid contributions to such long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution record for the periods that they were caring for an incapacitated dependent.

The measure will be available to individuals who reach State Pension age from 1 January 2024 and will also be available topeople currently over pension age. They will be able to apply for these contributions and receive a State Pension (Contributory) or enhanced pension from 1st January 2024 where eligible.

In September, my Department launched an online system for people to register for long term caring contributions. Thiswill facilitate the expeditious processing of these contributions upon enactment of the legislation.

I was very pleased to introduce the legislation to give effect to these measures in the Dail last week and I expect the legislation to be enacted by the end of the year.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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358. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if pension entitlements being worked on for carers by her Department at present will be extended to long-term foster carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51986/23]

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 for Tusla.

This Government acknowledges the important role that carers, including Foster carers, play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, the current State Pension (Contributory) system provides 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 and will qualify if the carer is in receipt of Child Benefit. If the foster carer is not in receipt of Child Benefit, they can still qualify for Homemaker’s Scheme or HomeCaring Periods provided the caring periods are confirmed by Tusla.

Despite these measures, some long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State Pension (Contributory). They may for example have difficulty establishing the minimum number of 10 years' paid contributions.

One of the reforms we are implementing 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 a paid contribution to long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution record. Foster Carers who care or have cared for an incapacitated dependent for over 20 years will also benefit from this important change.

I was very pleased to introduce the legislation to give effect to these measures in the Dail last week and I expect the legislation to be enacted by the end of the year.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.