John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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580. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the State pension being paid to a person (details supplied) ceased without notification; if the payment will be reinstated; and if arrears will be paid. [37494/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Widow's, Widower's and Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pensions (WSCPCP) periodically undertake payment reviews to confirm the continuing entitlement of selected recipients to the payment. This work constitutes an integral component of the scheme area’s control strategy and is subject to scrutiny by the Department’s Internal Audit Unit and the Comptroller and Auditor General.

A payment review letter was issued to the person concerned on 25 February 2025. No response was received and therefore a reminder letter issued on 16 April 2025. The letter advised that failure to return the form would affect their payment. No response was received and the payment was suspended on 5 June 2025.

As contact has now been made on behalf of the person concerned, payment of their WSCPCP will recommence from a current date into his nominated bank account. I have arranged for a further payment review letter to be issued to the person concerned. The letter should be completed and returned to my Department. Arrears of any payment due will be paid when the completed letter has been received in my Department.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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581. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the cost of extending access to the State pension to foster carers so that they can receive contributions for time spent caring for vulnerable children; if the Minister has commenced work on this Programme for Government commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37522/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Matters relating to foster care are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.

This Government acknowledges the important role that carers, including foster carers, play and remains fully committed to supporting them. The State Pension (Contributory) system already provides a range of measures to recognise caring periods outside of paid employment, such as 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 benefit from these measures on the same basis as other carers and parents. They may qualify if they are in receipt of Child Benefit. If they are 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), particularly in meeting the minimum requirement of 10 years' paid contributions.

Since January 2024, 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 are treated the same as paid contributions for State Pension (Contributory) entitlement only and can be used to fill any gaps in a person's contribution record, including satisfying the minimum 520 contributions required for eligibility.

Foster carers who have cared for an incapacitated dependent or dependents for over 20 years also benefit from this provision.

These measures combined strike a balance between assisting foster carers to access the State pension system in the same way as biological or adoptive parents, while ensuring that the system remains sustainable.

The Department does not hold data on the number of foster carers who would have sufficient social insurance contributions to qualify for the State Pension (Contributory), credited contributions and other related information. It is, therefore, not possible to provide an estimate of further extending the State Pension (Contributory) to foster carers.

Officials from my Department have met with representatives of foster carers, Tusla and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to explain the State pension system and the entitlements available for foster carers.

Any future changes to State Pension system would have to be considered in an overall policy and legal contexts underpinning the State pension system, with consideration of the budgetary context and the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.