David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his response. Does he recall the commitment given in An Agreed Programme for Government, 2002, to introduce a personal entitlement for pensioners' spouses currently in receipt of the qualified adult allowance, set at the level of a full non-contributory pension? What progress has been made in that regard and does the Minister still believe that it can be achieved?

Does he agree that the social welfare system is based on the male breadwinner model, which reinforces women's dependence on men? Does he agree, for instance, that the economic dependence of women creates high levels of poverty, as shown by the CSO report, Women and Men in Ireland 2002, where 23% were found to be living in poverty compared to 18% of men, and older women in particular were at high risk of poverty? What has he done regarding the administrative and legislative implications of making changes to the system to ensure that the more qualified adults can receive a direct payment? In this regard, how many are receiving this direct payment?

Does he agree that the home maker's scheme provides only disregards and lasts for merely 12 years, which means that many women may still not qualify for a pension? Does he not agree that if disregards were changed to credits, this would give the role of women more career recognition?

What has the Minister been doing as regards pension coverage for women? What has happened in the past year since he began to talk about it? Does he agree that individualising the carer's allowance would help a great many more carers and that at present only 14% of carers are in receipt of the carer's allowance? What is he doing as regards the introduction of a part-time unemployment benefit for parents with children aged up to 12? Does he agree that would give financial assistance to many women currently looking for part-time work as quality affordable child care is not really available to them?

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