The decision of the Irish government to introduce a pension credits mechanism for carers has been warmly welcomed by Marian Harkin MEP, President of the European Parliament’s Carers Interest Group.

She said: “Earlier this week the UK government announced a new pension credits scheme and in welcoming that initiative I urged our government to do likewise.  Quite obviously this measure was being considered for some time by the government and I warmly welcome its announcement today.  There is, of course, every justification for permitting carers to build up a state pension based on caring credits as statistics show that women and in particular, those who have care responsibilities have a higher risk of 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 be seen to save the state in excess of €2.5 billion per year.  In this regard alone, the announcement today, that a pension credits mechanism is to be introduced is fully justified by the enormous contribution which 161,000 carers from every county of Ireland make to the quality of life of those for whom they care”, Marian Harkin MEP concluded.