Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2022
395. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has received the marriage bar report from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Gender Equality in relation to the effect the marriage bar has on the pension entitlement of women; when the report will be considered; and when she will be in a position to address the inequities which currently exist in relation to same. [56521/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Joint Committee on Gender Equality was established to consider the recommendations contained in the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality. The Committee’s Interim Report on Constitutional Change was published in July 2022 and it is my understanding that the Committee’s work is ongoing.
The impact of the marriage bar on State Pension eligibility for many women varied depending on the sector they worked in and whether they returned to paid employment. Therefore, it is difficult to identify all those whose entitlement to State Pension was impacted by the marriage bar. It is also worth remembering that most civil and public servants recruited prior to 1995 are not entitled to the State Pension (Contributory), regardless of gender and marital status. Therefore, the marriage bar would not generally have negatively impacted on State Pension (Contributory) entitlement, as they would not have qualified for that payment had they remained in public sector employment. The implications for civil and public service pensions are a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform.
The State Pension (Contributory) system currently gives significant recognition to those whose work history includes an extended period of time outside the paid workplace, often to raise families or in a full-time caring role. PRSI Credits, Home-making Disregards and Home-caring Periods recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate.
It should be noted that, if a person does not satisfy the conditionality to qualify for a State Pension (Contributory), he or she may qualify for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% of the rate of the State Pension (Contributory). Alternatively, an Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) is paid, generally, where a pensioner has an adult dependent who does not have enough contributions to claim a maximum rate State Pension (Contributory) in his or her own right. The payment rate for the IQA is up to 90% of a full contributory pension. The most advantageous payment for a pensioner will depend upon their individual circumstances.
Despite the existing measures within the State Pension system that recognise periods spent caring, long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State Pension.
I announced a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system on 20th September 2022. The measures, which were approved by Government, are in response to the recommendations from the Pensions Commission. The set of measures represent the biggest ever structural reform of the Irish State Pension system. One of the reforms agreed by Government is enhanced State Pension provision for long-term carers of incapacitated dependents (who have been caring in excess of 20 years), as recommended by the Pensions Commission, and to be introduced from January 2024. This will be implemented through:
- A scheme to ensure that long-term carers can be attributed with contributions for gaps in their contribution record arising from their time spent caring; and
- The establishment of a ‘Family Carer Register'.
My officials are working to implement the reforms, including the drafting of legislation and development of administrative and IT systems as necessary. As part of the work to implement the new scheme, relevant Government Departments, and other stakeholders, will examine options for the creation of a statutory ‘Family Carer Register’ to help identify long-term carers.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
