Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)

I thank the witnesses for their presentations on this very important issue of the bereaved partner's pension. Did I understand correctly that the witnesses said this only pertains to the contributory pension rather than the non-contributory? In the past, those who had become widows or widowers, as we knew it then, could apply for non-contributory pension schemes. Can someone in this situation who does not have the contributions apply for a non-contributory scheme?