Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The process of increasing the qualified adult allowance commenced with the budget for 2000 and a number of special increases have been given to qualified adults since then. While I know the Deputy referred to the ratio, the rate of the qualified allowance on the contributory pension now stands at €138.50, which is 84% of the maximum rate of the non-contributory pension. In that case we have gone well beyond the 70% target. Obviously I cannot at this stage explain our budgetary strategy. We will certainly seek to make improvements in this area on an incremental basis.

From the figures I gave earlier it is clear we have an issue regarding vulnerable women, particularly older women. I drew attention to this problem regarding occupational pensions. While I do not have the figure before me, from memory no more than 35% or so of women outside the public service who are in employment had an occupational pension and would need to rely on the State pension. I am giving considerable attention and thought to these issues which are complicated and do not have easy answers. However, the situation has improved as a result of substantial increases in welfare expenditure generally and women's participation in the workforce has increased dramatically. The combination of these factors has reduced the risk of poverty for women in particular.

See this speech in context