Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2022
452. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how advanced is his Department's work on the issue of pensions for foster carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62002/22]
View answerI have met with foster carers who have highlighted issues around their eligibility for the State Pension Contributory, which is within the remit of the Department of Social Protection.
I met with my ministerial colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, in November and discussed the issue of support for foster carers. I am aware that the Department of Social Protection has some measures available to recognise caring periods outside of paid employment in the calculation of a State Pension payment. Credit for Home Caring Periods may be awarded to a maximum of 20 years and foster carers are entitled to the benefits of this scheme, on the same basis as other carers, once certain qualifying criteria are met.
The Deputy may be aware that the Report of the Commission on Pensions contains certain recommendations in respect of long-term carers. I can inform the Deputy that officials from my Department are engaging with their counterparts from the Department of Social Protection in respect of this recommendation, seeking to ensure that foster carers are included in this proposal.
I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to work with Tusla and with my Government colleagues and any other relevant stakeholders in the coming months to review and seek to improve supports available to foster parents.
