Ms Alice-Mary Higgins:

I will raise a couple of the issues and then I might hand over to Dr. Mary Murphy because there was a specific question for her. What was said by the two members on credits and contributions is really important. While recognising that qualified adults are doing care work in many cases, I believe individualisation is one route whereby people could be building up credits that could facilitate access to the workplace. Starting from scratch is a very real concern because, as we mentioned, when women are seeking to make a change in their lives, the impact on the overall household is very often a huge consideration. To move to a position of seeking jobseeker's allowance, waiting for the claim to be processed and waiting for an opportunity is much more daunting than that of moving straight into a dynamic activation process.

The question of contributions was raised by Senator Marie Moloney. As the Senator stated, the homemaker's credit represents a very important issue. Moving towards a full transition to the homemaker's credit, rather than the homemaker's disregard, is essential. Bearing in mind the principle and practice, it sends a very strong signal to women, not just women of working age but also women who are not of working age, that the time they spent outside the workforce is valued as still connected to society and the system. Even the language of credit is essential and important. That is something that should be pushed forward immediately. It sends a strong signal and it is very practical. The homemaker's credit could provide a starting point, much like the re-entry credit, which has been discussed. This idea was advocated previously by the National Women's Council. The proposal is for a re-entry credit that might be granted to women, or any partner or spouse, seeking to re-enter the workforce after a period of not being in it.

Since I mentioned individualisation, I will pass over to Dr. Mary Murphy. If I have an opportunity, I will answer some of the other questions.