Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
357. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the pension entitlements being worked on for carers by her Department at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51984/23]
View answerThis 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 measures including 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.
Last September, I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system. The measures are in response to the Pensions Commission’s recommendations and represent the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system.
One of the pension reform measures announced is the introduction of enhanced State Pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for 20 years or more. It will do this by attributing the equivalent of paid contributions to such long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution record for the periods that they were caring for an incapacitated dependent.
The measure will be available to individuals who reach State Pension age from 1 January 2024 and will also be available to people currently over pension age. They will be able to apply for these contributions and receive a State Pension (Contributory) or enhanced pension from 1st January 2024 where eligible.
In September, my Department launched an online system for people to register for long term caring contributions. This will facilitate the expeditious processing of these contributions upon enactment of the legislation.
I was very pleased to introduce the legislation to give effect to these measures in the Dail last week and I expect the legislation to be enacted by the end of the year.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
