Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2017
1274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which State pension contributions will be enhanced in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47010/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEntitlement to state pension (contributory) is assessed on the basis of an applicant’s social insurance record and the eligibility conditions applicable on the date they reach pension age.
It is not possible to determine a person’s pension entitlement until a pension application is received in the Department from the individual, and their social insurance record is examined by a Deciding Officer. According to the records of the Department the person concerned will reach pension age in 2018. They should submit an application for pension 3 months before their 66th birthday.
Where a person who has been engaged in caring duties applies for state pension (contributory) and they meet the qualifying conditions for this pension, their entitlement to the homemaker’s scheme will be examined. This scheme was introduced in 1994 to make qualification for state pension (contributory) easier for persons who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme allows for up to 20 years (since 1994) spent caring for children less than 12 years of age, or for an incapacitated person(s), to be disregarded for pension calculation purposes. The effect of this is to reduce the number of years by which a person’s total contributions are divided, thereby increasing their yearly average, which determines their weekly rate of pension payable. The impact of the homemaker’s scheme on pension entitlement will vary from person to person, depending on the individual’s social insurance record and the duration of the homemaking period.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
