Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
623. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if it is her intention that foster carers be allowed to maintain a social protection stamp/credit while continuing their foster caring and not be required to fulfil the signing-on requirements for jobseeker's credits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39770/23]
View answerMatters related to foster caring are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Tusla.
More widely, this Government acknowledges the important role that carers play and is fully committed to supporting them in that role. Accordingly, the current State pension (contributory) system provides for a range of measures including PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculations of a payment rate.
Foster carers are entitled to the benefits of the Homemaker's Scheme or HomeCaring Periods on the same basis as other carers, and will qualify if the carer is in receipt of Child Benefit. If the foster carer is 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). They may for example have difficulty establishing the minimum number of 10 years paid contributions.
I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system last September in response to the Pensions Commission's recommendations.
An important reform agreed by Government is enhanced State pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years. This will be done by attributing the equivalent of a paid contribution to long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution record. Foster carers who have cared for an incapacitated dependent or dependents for over 20 years will also benefit from this important change. My officials are currently working to implement these reforms.
All jobseekers including those in receipt of jobseeker's credits only, are required to satisfy certain conditions, including being available for full-time work, genuinely seeking work and signing the live register to confirm their continuing eligibility for the scheme. If a person cannot attend the office at the allotted time they should contact their Intreo office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
