Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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114. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the homemaker changes will have an impact on the pension amount that a person (details supplied) is receiving; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39485/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The person concerned reached pension age on 24 September 2018.

An application for State Pension (contributory) was received on 26 June 2018. The person concerned was awarded the pension from their 66th birthday. The rate awarded was based on a yearly average of 33 which is equivalent to 90% of the maximum rate of pension. To qualify for the maximum rate, a yearly average of 48 is required.

Following the introduction of the Total Contribution Approach calculation method, the claim of the person concerned was reviewed in 2019. They were awarded 433 reckonable HomeCaring Periods which resulted in an increase in their pension rate to 90.48% from their 66th birthday.

A further review was undertaken in 2023, however there was no change to the rate paid.

I introduced a number of reforms to the state pension (contributory) including a provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years (1040 weeks). If the person concerned has been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years, they can apply for long-term carers contributions (LTCC). If the criteria are met, the equivalent of paid contributions may be attributed to cover gaps in their contribution record. The periods of caregiving do not need to be consecutive.

The quickest way to apply for LTCCs is online at MyWelfare.ie if the person has a verified MyGovID account. Further information is available on the Government website at gov.ie/pensions.

It is open to the person concerned to apply for the means-tested State Pension (non-contributory), the maximum rate of which equates to 95% of the maximum rate of State Pension (contributory).

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.