Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The number who could benefit from the recommendations of the IHRC is limited. The people in question were over 61 in 1988 and could not satisfy the conditions for a standard pension at that time and, because of their age, they were not in a position to make the 260 contributions required for the special pension, which was introduced in 1999. It appears from our records that more than 700 people became insured for the first time in 1988. This is the best estimate we have. To pay a half rate pension to such people would cost approximately €4 million per annum and this can obviously be considered in a budgetary context following the advice of the ILO's committee of experts.

See this speech in context