Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
470. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on foster carers who give up work to care for children being eligible to avail of the full State pension (contributory); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19093/23]
View answerI am aware that eligibility in respect of the State Pension (Contributory) is an issue of genuine concern for foster carers. The Department of Social Protection has some measures available to recognise caring periods outside of paid employment in the calculation of a State Pension payment. Credit for Home Caring Periods may be awarded to a maximum of 20 years and foster carers are entitled to the benefits of this scheme, on the same basis as other carers, once certain qualifying criteria are met.
Further, the Report of the Pensions Commission contains a recommendation in respect of long-term carers. Specifically, the Commission recommends that long-term carers (defined as caring for more than 20 years) should be given access to the State Pension Contributory by having retrospective contributions paid for them by the Exchequer when approaching pension age for any gaps in their contribution history arising from caring.
I can advise that officials from my Department have been engaging with their counterparts in the Department of Social Protection in respect of this recommendation, in relation to the inclusion of foster carers within the cohort of long-term carers.
I will continue to work with my Government colleagues and any other relevant stakeholders seeking to improve the supports available to foster carers.
