Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

In reply to Deputy McCormack, I do not want to go over the debate about the half rate again as I dealt with it a few moments ago. In the example the Deputy gave, the person concerned would not necessarily have to lose the carer's allowance. She could keep the carer's allowance, which is now €200 if she is over 65 but she would not be entitled to the widow's pension. It would be one or the other. It depends on how one says it. She could, in theory, keep the carer's allowance of €200, which is higher than the widow's pension of €170.

See this speech in context