Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I simply made the point that a 40-year baseline would discriminate against the self-employed who only joined the contributory pensions system in 1988, as the Minister correctly noted. I have another question on an issue about which I and other Deputies are receiving queries. The first hurdle to overcome before qualifying for a contributory old age pension is to have 520 paid contributions. The figure previously was 260. Is the figure of 520 contributions set in stone or is it up for discussion? If it is intended that it will remain in place, will it be possible, when calculating contributions, to count the new credits that will be provided for people who are looking after children, sick people and so forth?

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