Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I am mindful of the Minister's previous response in respect of targeting those most in need. In this context, does he not agree that the current tax incentives surrounding pension provision are skewed in the interests of those who are able to afford pensions or are the most well off, with a resultant significant cost to the Exchequer, and that they are ineffective policy instruments in terms of addressing the needs of the lowest paid workers, many of whom are women?

Is the Minister mindful of the average earnings of women? They are some 15% less than their male counterparts across the board. In terms of pension provision for those most in need and for the greatest swathe of women workers, does the Minister agree the current policy of open-ended tax incentives, which is certainly the case for those in the most well off sector, has not served us well?

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