Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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475. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the social welfare credits available for persons about to apply for the State contributory pension in circumstances where they have had to retire from their own work to care for their spouse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16508/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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This Government acknowledges the important role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, the State Pension system currently gives significant recognition to those whose work history includes an extended period outside of paid employment, often to raise families or in a full-time caring role.

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 in the calculation of a payment rate, subject to the qualification condition of having 520 (10 years) paid contributions. A combination of 20 years homecaring periods and 20 years paid contributions can be used to qualify for a full rate pension.

Despite these measures, some long-term carer's of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State Pension (Contributory). They may have difficulty establishing the minimum number of 520 paid contributions. This was recognised by the Pension Commission in its report which recommended that long-term carer's should be given access to the State Pension (Contributory) and defined long-term caring as caring for more than 20 years.

As the Deputy is aware, I introduced long-term carer's contributions from the 1st January 2024 as one of a number of key State pension reforms. In keeping with the recommendations of the Pensions Commission, long-term carer's contributions can be awarded to a person who has cared for an incapacitated person for a period of 20 years or more. These contributions will be treated the same as paid contributions for State Pension (Contributory) entitlement only and can be used to satisfy the minimum 520 contributions condition.

Finally, the situation remains unchanged where a person reaches State Pension age and does not satisfy the conditions to qualify for State Pension (Contributory) or qualifies for less than the maximum rate, they may instead qualify for one of the following:

The means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory) which is a means-tested payment (based on their share of household means) with a maximum payment of 95% of the State Pension (Contributory); or

An increase for a qualified adult (based on their own means), amounting up to 90% of a full rate State Pension (Contributory) where their spouse has a contributory pension.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.