Margaret Cox (Fianna Fail)

I am pleased the Minister addressed the issue I raised yesterday on the second payment to widows, in particular, or widowers, who are moving into the caring profession. I accept his suggestion that it is a good idea to make the carer's allowance the larger payment so that people will be encouraged to become carers. It is always difficult to try to change the status quo. In order to achieve equality and equity, it should be changed for people who are in receipt of a widow's allowance, in particular, namely, a widow who receives an allowance by virtue of her status versus a person next door who has an income disregard of €570, or a household that can earn €30,000 and receive the maximum payment and €54,000 and receive the minimum payment.

There is no justification for not making the system flexible. I do not have the answers but I have no doubt there are serious issues involved. I accept the Minister's bona fides, but there is a fundamental issue of equity in regard to income disregard. A widow or widower may have lost a husband or wife and must be cared for. In some cases people may have to care for the in-laws of the deceased. This policy does not seem to be fair. While it may be difficult, if a review is taking place, the Minister should keep this issue on the agenda. There is always a way to deal with issues. It is just a question of finding the particular path.