Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I support the amendment tabled by Senator McCarthy and congratulate the Minister on bringing childminders who mind up to three children within the home into the PRSI net. That worthwhile provision will ensure these people, the majority of whom are women, are entitled to contributory pensions and maternity benefits.

I concur with Senator McCarthy that people who are in receipt of social benefits while minding children should be able to earn some form of compensation for their work without affecting their allowances, although I am not sure of the measures currently in place. Usually this money is paid under the counter and is not declared but people are entitled to payment in return for minding children.