Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I thank the speakers for their contributions and explanations. I would certainly err on the side of adopting the views Mr. Whelan is expressing. That is the way I felt about the whole process as it was going through. What is the position on workers losing €12,000, €24,000 or €36,000? Is it the case? Could Dr. Quinn clarify the matter?

What was the impact on the pensions of women and carers? Is the Department examining the arrangement whereby one must have continuous contributions over 20 years? This has affected and will affect women. How many women are affected and what were the implications?

A point was made on someone who is 62 and in receipt of a jobseeker's payment. A 65 year old man came into my office some days ago as he had been told he had to go on a Tús course. He was a little shocked as he was just waiting for material to come through on his pension. These kinds of stipulations are not necessary and there is no point to them. I do not agree with having to have an elderly man in such circumstances do a Tús course or take up a JobBridge placement. The man felt under pressure to do the course because he was afraid his jobseeker's benefit or allowance would be cut.

An important point that Mr. Fergus Whelan made was that a person who wants to work for longer should do so by choice and not be forced to do so. He should not be forced out of a job either way. An argument is made that the average age will increase and that we must divvy out the money with this in mind. We should be protecting our pensions as much as possible. A point was made that in the 1970s the State pension age was reduced from 70 to 65. Is that because all the people were dying younger? I do not know.

In any event I do not think that is a viable argument. We should have a society that protects our pensions and pensioners in the future. We have to examine that aspect.