Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
639. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of plans to move to a total contributions approach for calculating entitlement to a State pension (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9711/20]
View answerThe Total Contributions Approach (TCA), when it is introduced, is intended to be a fairer and more transparent system where the person’s lifetime contribution will be more closely reflected in the benefit received.
Consultation is a very important part of the development and design of such a new approach. With this in mind, a public consultation on the design of the TCA was launched on the 28th May 2018. A wide variety of stakeholder groups were invited to this launch. In addition, the consultation involved a number of workshops with representative bodies, and a briefing and Question & Answer session for Oireachtas members by Department officials in Leinster House.
The online consultation lasted for over three months and the Department received nearly 300 responses from individuals and organisations. Those submissions outlined the views of respondents on a number of issues, including the number of years required for a full pension, provision for home caring periods and for the self-employed.
Having carefully examined the outputs of the TCA consultation process, officials in the Department are designing the scheme, with a view to including significant recognition for home caring periods in the new model. The final design of the model will need to be brought to Government for its consideration and approval.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
