Vol. 517 No. 6
79 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the terms of reference of the proposed review of the measures to ensure that spouses, mainly women, who take time out of paid employment for caring duties in the home, do not lose out on pension entitlements; when the review will be competed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10510/00]
88 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals, if any, he has to give full State pensions to housewives and homemakers; if he will give details in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10549/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 88 together.
Special arrangements are already in place to help people who work in the home to qualify for an old age (contributory) pension.
From 6 April 1994, years spent out of the workforce caring either for children up to the age of six – increased to age 12 from 6 April 1995 – or incapacitated people may be disregarded in calculating the person's yearly average number of contributions for old age (contributory) pension purposes. A maximum of 20 years may be disregarded in this way. Provision is also made for the award of credited contributions in the year in which a person commences or ceases to be a homemaker. In addition, earnings of up to £30 per week where a person is engaged in part-time employment outside the home are also permitted.
Furthermore, the new pro-rata pensions which I introduced in November 1997 will be of benefit to many women who have gaps in their PRSI records due to working in the home looking after children, or caring full time for an elderly or incapacitated person.
However, I recognise that issues remain to be addressed in this area. As part of the review of the existing arrangements for homemakers, to be undertaken later this year by my Department, and which will form part of the ongoing review of eligibility conditions for contributory pensions, I have asked that proposals be brought forward for consideration in a budgetary context.
