Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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309. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline the position if people can apply to have credits towards their pension while they were in receipt of carer's allowance for many years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20386/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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This Government acknowledges the vital role that family 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. In addition, PRSI credits are awarded to those in receipt of Carer's Benefit, Carer's Allowance and Domiciliary Care Allowance. These credits and other measures may be used to increase the rate of State Pension (Contributory) payment subject to certain conditions.

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 of paid contributions.

Last year, legislation was enacted to implement a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system as part of the Government's response to the Pensions Commission’s recommendations. A key measure introduced from January 2024 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 for State Pension (Contributory) purposes. People who are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance are considered eligible for long term carer’s contributions, subject to meeting the threshold of 20 years.

Last year, my Department launched an online system for people to register for long term caring contributions prior to reaching pensionable age to facilitate the processing of these periods to their contribution record.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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310. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been brought to the anomaly that public sector workers can work to 70 years of age but illness benefit cannot be claimed by those working beyond the age of 66 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20433/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Illness benefit is the primary short term income support provided by my Department to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance. Eligibility for illness benefit depends on the person’s PRSI record and class. People must have made the required number of contributions under PRSI Class A, E, H or P to qualify.

Previously, illness benefit was only available to persons under 66. Under legislation that came into effect at the start of 2024 if a person born on or after 1 January 1958 has attained pensionable age of 66 years but has neither attained the age of 70 years nor been awarded a state pension (contributory) they may be entitled to illness benefit, subject to meeting the other conditions of the scheme.

Once a person reaches 66 years of age, they may be entitled to a state pension (contributory), depending on their contribution history. A person can draw their state pension (contributory) and continue to work. If they do not have sufficient PRSI contributions for a state pension (contributory) they may be entitled to the state pension (non-contributory), subject to a means test.

With regard to additional supports, my Department also provides an additional needs payment under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. This includes exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.

The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently on a social welfare payment or in employment. The payment amount will depend on a person’s weekly household income, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Payments are made at the discretion of the Community Welfare Officers administering the scheme, considering all the circumstances of the case.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.