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

I join Deputy O'Flynn in congratulating the Minister on his new role. This is the first chance I have had to do so. I look forward to working with him and knowing his history, it will be easy to work with him.

This new law is a response to a Supreme Court decision from 22 January 2024 in the case of John O'Meara and others against the Minister for Social Protection. John O'Meara lost his partner Michelle Batey to cancer and Covid-19 in 2021. They had three children together but since they were not married, John could not claim the widower's contributory pension. I would also like to pay tribute to John O'Meara and his family and I fully support naming this Bill in honour of his partner Michelle. I extend my gratitude to the Minister for bringing forward this legislation. We in Independent Ireland are committed to assisting in any way possible to ensure its successful passage through the House.

I have a constituent who tragically passed away after battling a severe illness. Her partner of 20 years, with whom she had children, was unable to qualify for the widow's pension. In this day and age, it is unacceptable that such situations occur. This legislation must proceed as families endure significant hardship when a loved one dies. They are confronted with the shock and grief of their loss, the impact on their families and children and the daunting task of organising a funeral, often for the first time. They face the emptiness left behind by the deceased, while bills and expenses continue to accumulate. Partners are left without the widow's pension.

Therefore, I welcome this legislation.

While we are discussing pensions in the context of this Bill, I note that we are unduly harsh on our senior citizens. Some of them may not have sufficient contributions to qualify for a contributory pension and instead receive a non-contributory pension. They are penalised for leaving the country for a short period such as a month or six weeks. I have a constituent who has been very ill for much of his life. He is currently recovering from surgery he had in late December. I met him in my clinic a couple of weeks ago. His mental and physical health are fragile. His doctor advised him to take a couple of months to get some sun and recuperate. Upon his return to Ireland, he discovered that his pension had been stopped. He is 75 years of age. That is an astonishing attack on a 75-year-old. One would think in this day and age that there would be an understanding that people can leave the country for a month, two months or three months, for a break abroad with family or whatever, without losing their pension. It is astonishing that the State can allocate millions of euro to various international causes while our senior citizens are treated so poorly. I previously observed that the State will pursue individuals to the grave. That needs to stop. While we all understand the need for fairness, there is no sense of fair play when an elderly man following his doctor's advice to seek a change of scenery for his health has his pension stopped.

Another elderly constituent recently approached me in great distress to report that her life savings had been taken from her. She was approached by a local individual who promised substantial returns on an investment in his company. Between them, she, her husband and her son invested more than €500,000. They have received nothing in return except approximately 3,000 emails over the past three and a half years from the individual concerned promising that their money is forthcoming. There are two other men also involved in the scheme. My constituent has conducted extensive research and discovered that hundreds of people have been similarly affected by these three individuals and their scam. It appears they set up companies, go into liquidation and then move on to establish new companies. They offer clients loan deals for their investment, which are documented but ultimately worthless. Many victims feel embarrassed and are reluctant to take action but this particular constituent is determined to recover her money. I, too, am determined, along with my colleagues, to get to the bottom of this scam. I raise this issue in the context of this Bill to alert people to the scams targeting our elderly population. The Bill aims to protect vulnerable individuals, which is why I am bringing this matter to the attention of the House. An individual has been taken to court by many victims but the case has been adjourned on four occasions by the judge. This is only the beginning for me. We must try to put a stop to this constant taking advantage of vulnerable people.

A group of CIÉ pensioners has been in contact with me in regard to their issues with their pensions. They want to know what the Government is doing to protect and help them. Until 2008, CIÉ pensioners were awarded increases to their pensions in line with pay increases to active staff. However, no increase in pensions has been approved by the CIÉ board since 2008. For 16 years, despite repeated requests and representations, the majority of CIÉ pensioners who are members of the 1951 scheme, who have no other income, have had no increase. They do not qualify for State pension because, as public servants, they paid class D1 PRSI. This was not a choice they made when they joined CIÉ; it was their only option. Since 2008, the consumer price index has increased by 20.8%. The State pension has increased by 24%, before taking account of the living alone allowance and the fuel allowance. Since 2016, CIÉ salaries for active staff have increased by approximately 30%. However, the CIÉ pensioners have had no increase.

The treatment of women in respect of their pension entitlements is deeply concerning. It is absolutely unacceptable that a wife's pension is means tested based on her husband's income. In effect, she is treated as a second-class citizen. Women have the right to have their own pensions and to be financially independent. I have a number of constituents who receive very little pension because their entitlement is assessed against their husbands' pension. While this may be acceptable in households where both partners are content with the arrangement, that is not always the case. In some homes, this situation leaves the wife financially vulnerable and potentially subject to financial abuse by her husband.

I again thank John O'Meara and his family for their courage in helping to bring forward this Bill.

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