The decision of the UK authorities to introduce a pension credits mechanism for carers should be immediately followed by a similar long overdue decision by the Irish government.

This was stated by Marian Harkin MEP when she warmly welcomed the UK government’s decision today, Monday, March 1st.

She said: “I referred to the need for such a measure when I addressed the ‘Caring for Carers’ annual conference in Galway on Saturday last and I warmly welcome the decision which means that family carers in Northern Ireland and throughout the UK can now build up a state pension based on caring credits.  We need to introduce a similar scheme here.“Statistics show that women, in particular those who have care responsibilities, have a higher risk of poverty in old age than others.  It is simply not acceptable that those who take the time to care, often on a full time basis with inadequate state support, would be more likely to experience poverty in old age than others.

“Figures from the 2006 Census show that if we put a price on the work of carers they would save the state in excess of 2.5 billion per year, yet carers have no entitlements to a state pension.
 
“The move by the U.K. Government is a very positive one whereby a new carers credit will be introduced to help parents and carers who have taken time out of their career to build up qualifying years while still meeting their caring responsibilities. The Irish Government should immediately look at the pension scheme in the U.K. and commit to introducing a similar scheme in Ireland without delay". Marian Harkin concluded.

View the contributions carers make to the social economy on a county by county basis.