David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his response. He stated only new claimants will qualify automatically. Does he have plans to extend the scheme to existing claimants?

Does the Minister agree the impact of the marriage bar is now being felt and it is most unfair? Prior to 1973, women employed in the public service were forced to give up their jobs and to attend to homemaking duties. Because of that, women who are now reaching retirement age find they are without a pension in their own right. They suffer doubly if they went back to work for a short period before they retired. Does the Minister have a view on this situation? Is he aware of the number of women who were affected by the marriage bar and how many women are affected by it today and does he have any plans to make changes in this regard?

Does the Minister agree the averaging rule to which he referred is most unfair because it takes into account the years women spent in the home? Does he also agree that the work carried out by the women at that time was extremely valuable? They reared the Celtic tiger generation at home. They had no choice in the matter. Does the Minister further agree if the situation were to exist today it would be deemed to be unconstitutional?

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