Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and believe the anomaly he pointed out may be dealt with by moving from a yearly average system to a total contributions approach. I understand there is an issue where people return to the workforce. Often we encourage people, particularly nurses, to go back to the workforce in later life and I would not like to see them lose out as a result. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, asked me to take this issue on her behalf and I will certainly draw her attention to the Deputy's comments when I see her tomorrow.

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