Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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32. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of family carers that have applied for, and been approved for, the new State pension for carers via the long-term carers contribution; if the Minister would consider using this method for foster carers in accessing a State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37481/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The State Pension (Contributory) is funded from the Social Insurance Fund through the contributions paid by workers. The rate of payment reflects the number of social insurance contributions paid over a working life. However, it is recognised that people may have periods out of the workforce for reasons such as caring responsibilities, including foster caring.

Accordingly, once a person has met the minimum requirement of 520 paid contributions, the State Pension (Contributory) provides measures including PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards and Homecaring periods to recognise these periods of care outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate. Foster carers are entitled to the benefits of PRSI credits and Homemaking Disregards and Homecaring periods where they meet the criteria, in the same way as biological or adoptive parents. There is no difference in treatment.

Last year I enacted legislation to implement an enhancement to State Pension provisions for individuals who have been providing care for a cumulative period of over 20 years. 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. This is done by attributing the equivalent of a paid contribution to long-term carers of incapacitated dependents to cover gaps in their contribution record for state pension (contributory) purposes.

These contributions are treated the same as paid contributions for state pension (contributory) entitlement only and can be used to satisfy the minimum 520 contributions condition.

It is open to foster carers who have cared for an incapacitated person or persons for a cumulative period of over 20 years to apply for long term carers contributions.

At end August 2024, 1,848 customers have been awarded over 20 years of Long-Term Carers Contributions, 1,230 of whom are aged over 66. 532 of these customers have been awarded State Pension while a further 148 received an increase in the rate paid. Officials in my Department continue to review state pension (contributory) applications where a reduced rate is in payment, or the person was refused a pension prior to January 2024.

Matters related to foster caring, including any criteria relating to work, are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and for Tusla.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.