Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Deputies Danny Healy-Rae, Michael Healy-Rae and Mattie McGrath.

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak to the Bill. I note that it touches on a wide range of subjects and there are a number of aspects I wish to raise. First, I welcome the changes to the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 which is being amended in the Bill with a view to deterring and reducing the level of social welfare fraud. Those found to be in receipt of excess of €5,000 in fraudulent payments will have their names published.

With regard to the Civil Registration Act 2004, I welcome the deletion of the Office Registrar, General and deputy registrar general. The country is top-heavy with unnecessary offices and management that only delay certain processes. The ending of these restrictive positions is welcome. This, however, results in the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection being responsible for the provision of birth, marriage and death certificates. For this reason, I am fearful that the Department may exploit the opportunity as a way to raise income. Having recently done away with death benefit, I plead with the Minister of State, Deputy David Stanton, to keep the cost of these important documents at the current price, if not to reduce it further, particularly the cost of a death certificate. We are all well aware of the strain the loss of a loved one can place on a family emotionally, as well as financially, as a result of funeral expenses.

Changes to the Pensions Act 1990 are also incorporated in the Bill. I bring to the Minister of State's attention a problem I raised on the floor of the House recently during Leaders' Questions. It is the issue of pensions for women in the home. Article 40.2.1° and Article 40.2.2° of the Constitution state:

1° ... that by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved.

2° The State shall, therefore, endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home.

I am aware that the Government intends to hold a referendum to amend the article next year. My point is that we all know plenty of such women who left work after getting married to stay at home and rear their families or take care of parents and in-laws. They have saved the State millions of euros in child care and carers' fees. Many of them went back to work for a number of years after their families were reared and now realise they do not have enough stamps to receive a State pension. While a few of them benefited slightly from the introduction of the homemaker's scheme in 1994, many homemakers in my constituency of Cork South West have brought this issue to my attention at various clinics. They believe they have been discriminated against. In fact, they believe that, despite the wording of the article, the State did not go far enough to ensure they would be left in a financially stable position. They believe they have been left high and dry by the State. What an awful thing for them to feel having served the State for so long. I ask the Minister of State to raise this and the earlier issues I mentioned and to treat them in the legislation.

See this speech in context