Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response. I am glad to hear her reiterate that the details of the plan which were originally announced in January are on track. Some of those affected by this issue have begun to think that it may not happen because there has not been much recent media coverage of the matter. After many years of campaigning, they are almost afraid to believe that the issue will finally be resolved. Great credit is due to the Minister not alone for the announcement last January, but also for the work since then by her and her officials in order to be in a position to undertake what will be a very significant review. I welcome her statement that the letters will issue in the coming weeks.

The Minister is aware that the issue has caused upset, frustration and hardship for many of those affected by the changes in 2012. The payment of a reduced weekly pension reinforced their feeling that their work caring for family members over the years was unrecognised. Addressing those feelings is a very important step.

Can the Minister confirm that an allocation will be set aside as part of the budget to make the necessary repayments next year? She mentioned that 67,000 people have been affected. Is that the total number of people in receipt of contributory pensions post-2012? Will people who are not covered by the review receive letters about it? Will all 67,000 letters issue at once or will it take a couple of weeks for that to be done? It is a large number of letters but it may cause confusion if some people receive a letter and others do not. How quickly does the Minister expect the letters to be issued?

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