Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2023
420. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate the extent to which a home parenting pension will be available in the case of a person (details supplied); whether she is likely to benefit from recent extension of benefits announced in the Budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53165/23]
View answerThe person concerned reached pension age on 19 June 2020 .
In order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory), an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned does not have the required 520 full rate paid contributions and therefore does not qualify for State pension (contributory).
The homemaker’s scheme and the home caring credits can be used to improve a person’s rate of pension entitlement. However, before an individual can avail of either of these schemes, they must satisfy the qualifying conditions for State Pension (contributory).
If the person concerned considers they have additional contributions from employment that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence of the missing periods of employment to my Department and their pension entitlement will be reviewed.
As part of the series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system, I have introduced an enhanced State Pension provision from January 2024 for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years (1040 weeks). The periods of care-giving do not need to be consecutive.
If the person concerned has been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years, they can apply for the Long-Term Carers Contributions (LTCC). If the criteria are met, the equivalent of paid contributions may be attributed to cover caring gaps in their contribution record. The quickest way to apply is online at MyWelfare.ie.
Further information about the Long-Term Carer's Contributions and the changes to State pension (contributory) and are available on the Government website at gov.ie/pension
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
