Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)

Regarding the old age contributory pension, I draw the attention of the Minister to several complaints I received during the years relating to loss of income incurred by self-employed people. I do not wish to delay the House on this issue. I will supply details to the Minister as I have received considerable correspondence on this matter. To be honest, I am not fully clear exactly what I am seeking. With 1988 being set as the date for qualification for self-employed contributions, there appears to be an anomaly which discriminates against certain old age pensioners in that they cannot get their average contribution up to a level that would enable them to qualify for the higher rate of pension. I will supply some details and the Minister, when finalising the legislation, might examine the question of self-employed contributions, especially in the case of people who have been self-employed for many years and have been taking care of their families who seem to be discriminated against.