Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I support the amendment and welcome the Minister's response. I urge the Minister to keep on open mind on this issue. Some pensioners try to save whatever they can, including some of their pensions. Many live very frugally and put money by because this is a practice with which they have grown up. I hope that those who have been saving in SSIAs will not find themselves in difficulty when the accounts mature because they have been prudent throughout their lives and will not feel the need to spend. Many reach a stage where they could go over the threshold without realising they can put their pensions in jeopardy. While I welcome the increase in the capital disregard, I ask the Minister to keep an open mind, particularly if it is discovered that this will cause problems for many pensioners.