Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I move amendment No. 1:

In page 3, line 11, to delete “Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner’s Pension) Bill 2025” and substitute “Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner’s Pension and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2025”.

I understand that amendments Nos. 1, 5, 6, and 23 to 25, inclusive, are grouped together. The first five amendments of this grouping provide for the renaming of the Bill from the "Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner's Pension) Bill 2025 to the "Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner’s Pension and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025" due to Government amendments to the Bill.

I wish to turn to the substantive amendment in this grouping, namely, amendment No. 25. This amendment provides that the invalidity pension will cease to be available to people on turning 66. They will, of course, be eligible for what was formerly known as the old-age pension, the contributory State pension or the non-contributory State pension, whichever is more beneficial to them. Other working-age supports for people unable to work due to illness or disability include illness benefit and disability allowance. Both of these already require a person to be under pensionable age, that is, under 66, to qualify. This change seeks to bring invalidity pension in line with other working-age supports.

There is a saver clause for a small cohort of people, which numbers approximately 23, over 66 who are currently in receipt of the invalidity pension. These people will be no worse off as a result of this amendment.