Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In 1994, as Minister of State in the then Department of Social Welfare, I was involved, together with the Minister at that time, Michael Woods, in introducing the credits scheme. I recognised that access to State pension and retirement entitlements is very important for both men and women. It was a landmark scheme introduced by the Labour Party and Fianna Fáil in government.

The Deputy is suggesting that we make significant enhancements to that scheme. It certainly is an issue I keep under constant review. Many people, including many women and particularly those of limited means, have an entitlement to a non-contributory retirement pension and may also qualify for a qualified adult payment in respect of their spouse. To change the scheme would probably involve a very significant cost. In each social welfare budget for the past three years, I have provided in the Estimates of the Department an extra €200 million or thereabouts for additional pension and retirement benefits in a context where we have far more people reaching pensionable age and living for much longer. The improvements in the economy will dictate whether I am able to increase the budget more significantly than that.

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