Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2018
611. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons negatively affected by changes introduced to the contributory pension in 2012; the number of persons expected to benefit from the new total contributions approach and home caring credit; the number expected to benefit by gender; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4454/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere were 46,677 people affected by the rate band changes in September 2012. It is estimated that two-thirds of these will see their rate of payment increased by the Total Contributions Approach (TCA) introduced on 23 January. The precise number cannot be known at this time as there may be inflows from other schemes, such as the State Pension (non-contributory). Equally, it is not possible at this juncture to give a gender breakdown of the likely beneficiaries.
In the main, people with home-making/caring periods pre-1994 (not covered by the current home-makers scheme) are expected to gain the most from the introduction of the HomeCaring Credits with TCA. There will also be some people with 40 years contributions (or slightly less) with big gaps in their records, who may expect an increase in their payment.
Those who are less likely to benefit from the TCA model are people with lower numbers of paid social insurance contributions, who have no significant home-making/caring periods. However, it should be understood that no-one will have a reduced rate of payment as a result of this announcement. Anyone who is not better off as a result of this proposal will remain on their existing rate of payment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
