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The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced a new scheme to improve access to the State Pension (Contributory) for long-term carers (those caring for over 20 years for incapacitated dependents).

The Minister also announced the details of the three lump sum cost-of living payments being paid this week.

The Minister made the announcements at a Family Carer’s Ireland local carer support group meeting in Baldoyle Community Hall, Dublin North.

The new Long Term Carers Contributions scheme makes it easier for a long term carer to qualify for a State Pension (Contributory).

Any period in which a carer is registered as providing care to a person who has a disability that requires full-time care and attention, can be included in their pay-related social insurance (PRSI) record for State Pension (Contributory) purposes. To avail of these changes, a minimum of 20 years of Long-Term Carers contributions are required.

Commenting today, Minister Humphreys said:

“I am delighted to announce this scheme, which will ensure that long-term carers of dependents are provided with contributions for gaps in their social insurance record for the first time in the history of the State.

“This will help ensure that thousands of people, mainly women, who have spent time caring for incapacitated loved ones will now be able to qualify for the Contributory State Pension.

“I encourage all carers to register their caring periods at MyWelfare.ie, so that in cases where they have cared for a loved one for over 20 years, their pension entitlement reflects their important contribution to their family and to society by the time they reach pension age.”

The Minister also announced the details of the three cost of living lump sum supports being paid this week. They are:

• On Thursday, 30th November , some 120,000 Carers will receive a lump sum payment of €400 .

• From Wednesday 29th November to Friday 1st December , a €200 lump sum payment will be paid to the approx. 240,000 people in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance (payment day differs per recipient).

• Throughout the week, a lump sum of €100 per child will be paid to families in respect of 370,000 qualified children (payment day differs per recipient). This is paid to people who receive an ‘Increase for a Qualified Child’ on their primary social welfare payment.

Commenting on this week’s lump-sum payments, the Minister said:

“I’m very pleased this week to announce the payment of the €400 Cost of Living lump sum for carers, which will help support approximately 120,000 carers and their families.

“This will be paid automatically on Thursday to those who are receiving the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the standalone Carer’s Support Grant, at an estimated cost of almost €48 million.

“And on top of that, we are also this week paying out the €200 living alone allowance lump sum, supporting some 240,000 people.

“And finally this week, we will make a €100 payment to households in receipt of the Qualified Child Payment. This will benefit some 370,000 children and their families, putting more money in their pockets ahead of the Christmas period.”

Commenting on this measure, Minister Humphreys said:

“I am particularly pleased to expand the reach of the Carer’s Allowance by increasing the weekly earnings disregards by €100 for a single person and €150 for a couple.