Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. It will be my last time to speak on Second Stage of a Social Welfare and Pensions Bill until, I hope, I return to the House after the next general election. I take this opportunity to thank the staff of social welfare offices for the service they provide for the public and have provided for me since my election to the House. It is a testament to them, be they located in Sligo or Longford, etc., that I am seldom obliged to table a parliamentary question on such issues. While social welfare issues arise, I am usually able to rectify them by telephone or through correspondence. I thank the diligent staff.

In respect of the last point made by the previous speaker on pension anomalies, all Members have encountered such cases. I am familiar with an extreme example and although I had not intended raising it, as other Members have discussed similar cases, I will follow suit. Like others, one of my constituents had worked for most of his life and paid his stamps and contributions. However, three or four contributions were made early in his life. He intended to apply for the old age pension and before his birthday, I acquired a list of his contributions to calculate the averages. After so doing, it became clear that he would not qualify for the full pension owing to the payment of three or four stamps early in his life. I investigated the matter and was advised that he had worked for the local authority one summer. I contacted the local authority and received a letter in reply stating it had not paid any stamps on his behalf, although it had done so for someone with a similar name. I forwarded the letter to the Department of Social and Family Affairs and it was not accepted. Consequently, I intend to provide the Minister with the details of the case. As the local authority has stated it did not make a contribution for this man and the few contributions in question are debarring him from receiving a full pension, he should receive it. This is a relatively straightforward case.

I agree with previous speakers that there are several cases in which people fail to receive a full pension because a small number of contributions were made early in their lives. The number of such persons is reducing continually and I ask the Minister to form a group to consider this issue. People are of the opinion that they should be entitled to a full pension after working for 30 or 40 years and I agree. The system based on averages with which Members deal is outmoded and should be replaced.

I will take up another point raised by the previous speaker in respect of rent supplements. While this may be an issue in Dublin, it is also an issue in my constituency where the figures for rent allowance do not cover the cost of rented property. I represent towns such as Killarney, Dingle and Kenmare, in which many properties can command high rents during the summer letting season. Tenants who are not prepared to pay might be put out of their houses before Easter and few houses become available subsequently until the following October, after the summer season ends. It is extremely difficult to deal with people in this context. Community welfare officers also find it difficult because although they have guidelines, people are unable to find houses to rent within them. They are in the black economy, may not be telling the truth and issues may arise, whereby a great deal of money must be paid back. Were the Minister to decide to review the figures in respect of rent allowance, it should be done on a countrywide basis, not simply for Dublin, as difficulties are also being experienced in my constituency of Kerry South. The same is true of other constituencies in which there is a tourism element.

I wish to raise the issue of women who were affected by the marriage bar. I have met a number of such women in recent years and they feel aggrieved that through no fault of their own, they are not entitled to a pension when reaching pensionable age. Moreover, the amount they receive as an adult dependant is reduced if their husbands are in receipt of a pension. I welcome the introduction, from September, of direct payments to qualified adults. However, this measure will not make such individuals any better off. Women whose husbands have not been giving them any money might be better off, but not otherwise. Those women who stayed at home, looked after their children and could not work have a case. The State is discriminating against them because through no fault of their own, they have no entitlement to a payment in their own right.

I wish to refer to another group of women. I am moving on because my time is short and I wish to cover a number of issues. I refer to widows who are in receipt of a widow's pension and who also receive disability benefit. Should such women fall ill, they are only entitled to half-rate disability benefit for 15 months. I have encountered two cases in which widows who were extremely ill were given the money for 15 months. Thereafter, the rug was pulled from under them and payment was stopped. Payments to a widow should continue until such time as she recovers. One does not recover from all illnesses within 15 months. Unfortunately, some people never get better, while others do. It should be the responsibility of the consultant or doctor to provide a certificate to the effect that the person in question is unfit to return to work. Although many widows work, if they fall ill, they will receive a half-rate disability benefit payment for 15 months. I ask the Minister to consider this issue which should be based on medical evidence. If a widow is not better after 15 months, payments should continue until she has recovered. This is not an unreasonable request.

I support other Members who have spoken about community welfare officers. No Member, of any party or none, will state the proposal to transfer community welfare officers to the Department of Social and Family Affairs is a good idea. It is a disastrous idea because while the Minister may mean well, it will not work. When the service comes under the aegis of the Department of Social and Family Affairs, it will be obliged to follow guidelines. However, when Frank Cluskey first introduced it, the element of discretion was of greatest importance. All Members have stories about clients who were able to contact community welfare officers out of hours. Such officers deal with people in a holistic manner and know them, their families and neighbours. As they work on the ground, they are able to spot the cases that are not genuine.

I appeal to the Minister not to disturb the existing system. I fear that many issues dealt with by community welfare officers at present will not be dealt with by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Consequently, people, including children, will fall between two stools and be left in terrible circumstances. People in difficulties who approach a politician are able to go to the community welfare officer. No major form-filling or large structure are involved and it is a highly personal matter. I appeal to the Minister not to disturb the existing system, as it works very well. While I am unsure who wishes to change it, it is not for a good reason.

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