Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The change the Minister introduced has led to a situation, since 2012, where people with an average of fewer than 40 weekly contributions per year over their working life are seeing their pension entitlement reduced by €1,500 per year. That is a substantial reduction and more significant than the reductions affecting other categories of workers. I highlighted this issue at the time the change was introduced, pointing to the substantial impact on women in particular. A recent report in the Irish Examinerindicated that the Minister's Department made her aware of the negative consequences of this change.

This is an issue that has a particular impact on women who were excluded from work by the marriage bar. What does the change the Minister introduced say to women who gave up work to care for children and elderly relatives? The care they provided subsidised the State by enabling its lack of investment in services and supports. Are we saying to these women who sacrificed their careers that we do not value their contribution? Will the Minister introduce a homemaker's credit scheme to bring up these women's credits and ensure their entitlement to a full State pension rather than the current situation where they lose out because of their contribution to society?

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