Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. It is a very sad case. I have been working with John to try to help him through the various issues he must deal with and some of the bureaucracy involved. In his situation, he does not qualify for widower's pension. He does not qualify for one-parent family payment because it is means tested on the preceding year. He does not qualify for jobseeker's payment because he had to give up his job and was self-employed. It is a catch-22. He can work and not mind the young children, but he is not going to do that. He has to look after his children, particularly in this difficult time. There are, and will be, thousands of people like him. There are people in his position this week. If a couple is divorced, there is an entitlement to the widow's pension, but that is not the case if a couple did not get around to getting married. I welcome the Tánaiste's comments, but this must be changed. In addition, when the Tánaiste speaks to the Minister, will he consider if some form of interim payment could be allowable in circumstances where it can be shown that couples were together for a considerable period of time?

See this speech in context