Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed but not surprised that we are again discussing an issue that has a disproportionately negative effect on women. Since I was elected last year, I have found this to be a common trend. It is unacceptable that women are receiving in the region of €35 less per week in their pensions because they took time out of work to care for their families and raise children. That is wrong, unfair and outdated and it runs contrary to the principles of gender equality. People are rightly outraged at this unfair discrimination, which is increasing year on year in the context of the number of people it affects. I commend all the women of Ireland who have become very active on this issue and campaigned to put it front and centre. The National Women's Council of Ireland has said that since budget 2018 measures were announced last week, it has been inundated with calls from women, some of whom who have only reached pension age and have realised that they have limited or no entitlement to a State pension. Equally, I have been asked about this situation by women from across my constituency on many occasions. The failure to respond to the tens of thousands of pensioners suffering because of the 2012 cuts is one of the biggest disappointments emanating from last week's budget

announcements. Given that I am out of time, I simply urge people to support Deputy Brady's amendment and the motion and end this discrimination for women.

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