Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2023
342. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the maximum amount of contributory pension for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5514/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned reached pension age on 19 August 2012. They are in receipt of the State Pension (contributory) at 75% of the maximum weekly rate.
The Homemaker's scheme and Home Caring credits can be used to improve a person’s rate of State Pension (contributory).
Under the Homemaker's Scheme any years spent as a homemaker since 6 April 1994 are ignored or disregarded when working out your yearly average contributions for the State Pension (Contributory). The scheme supports people who gave up work to take care of a child under the age of 12 or an ill or disabled person aged 12 or over. As the children of the person concerned were over 12 years of age in 1994, the criteria was not met. However, if the person concerned cared for an incapacitated person over the age of 12, it is open to them to submit a completed application for the HomeMaker's scheme and request a review of their State Pension (contributory). I have arranged for an application to issue.
The HomeCaring Periods scheme applies to anyone who was born on or after the 01 September 1946. As the person concerned was born before 01 September 1946, they are not eligible for Homecaring credits.
It should be noted that it is also open to the person concerned to apply for the means-tested state pension (non-contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% that of the maximum rate of the state pension (contributory).
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
