194. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will examine the absence of dedicated pension provision for long-term foster carers who may have reduced capacity to build up contributory pensions due to their caring responsibilities (details supplied); and if he will introduce measures, including credited contributions or a specific pension scheme, to ensure that foster carers are not disadvantaged in retirement as a consequence of their service. [17260/26]

Matters relating to foster care are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.

This Government acknowledges the important role that carers, including foster carers, play and remains fully committed to supporting them. The State Pension (Contributory) system provides a range of measures to recognise caring periods outside of paid employment, such as PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards, and HomeCaring Periods to recognise caring periods of up to 20 years outside of paid employment in the calculation of a payment rate.

Foster carers are entitled to benefit from these measures on the same basis as other carers and parents. They may qualify if they are in receipt of Child Benefit. If they are not in receipt of Child Benefit, they can still qualify for Homemaker’s Scheme or HomeCaring Periods provided the caring periods are confirmed by Tusla.

Despite these measures, some long-term carers of incapacitated dependents may still face barriers in accessing the State Pension (Contributory), particularly in meeting the minimum requirement of 10 years' paid contributions.

Since January 2024, long-term carer's contributions can be awarded to a person who has cared for an incapacitated person for a period of 20 years or more. These contributions are treated the same as paid contributions for State Pension (Contributory) entitlement only and can be used to fill any gaps in a person's contribution record, including satisfying the minimum 520 contributions required for eligibility.

Foster carers who have cared for an incapacitated dependent or dependents for over 20 years also benefit from this provision.

These measures assist foster carers to access the State pension system and recognise the years spent caring for children in the same way as biological or adoptive parents, while ensuring that the system remains sustainable.

Any future changes to State Pension system would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context, including the sustainability of the Social Insurance Fund.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.