Politics

Family carers set to qualify for state pension from 2024

Change is expected to benefit up to 1,000 carers per year

Pensions: Programme for Government had included a commitment to examine the options for a pension for long term carers, particularly those of incapacitated children “in recognition of the enormous value of their work”. Picture: Getty

Family carers who have spent their entire lives looking after children with a disability are set to qualify for a state pension in the New Year.

The change is expected to benefit up to 1,000 family carers per year who would have otherwise been denied any state pension.

Many family carers miss out on a state pension as they fail to meet the necessary Prsi contributions due to the full time demands of looking after ...