Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister. I did not intend to oppose this section because I agree with the Minister's proposal. I can understand why this payment was there in past years and I thank the Minister for allowing those on that scheme to remain on it. In light of our changing economic climate and our healthier, fitter and longer-living population it is right that this scheme be abolished and that only those who are unemployed for very good reasons should receive unemployment assistance. The same is true in the private sector where one of the biggest mistakes has been retiring people at the age of 55. This had an impact on occupational pension funds. It was wrong to retire young people, and I consider 55 to be young. The same has to be said about people in this category, particularly the people now coming up to that age. Hopefully they will have been in employment, will be able to take on training and many will want to continue working when they reach the age of 65. We are making provisions to allow that to happen, which I welcome.