Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No.1:

In page 10, to delete the figure inserted by Government amendment No. 14 at Committee and substitute "€20,800".

I again welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the House this week. I raised this point during the Committee Stage debate last week and the Minister of State should take it on board and accept it. On Committee Stage, the House amended the upper annual income limit for applicants from €9,000 to €10,400, to bring it into line with the pension rates. I have looked into this subsequently and in the 2005 budget, the Minister introduced a guideline to the effect that pensioners were allowed to earn an additional €100 per week without affecting their pensions in any way. This was increased to €200 per week in this year's budget.

My amendment is an attempt to bring the Bill in line with Government policy. The Government has stated that in addition to receiving their pension, pensioners are allowed to earn up to €200 per week. My figure of €20,800 is an approximation of what would be involved were someone to have a pension and to be earning extra income. It is possible that someone who worked on a part-time basis could suddenly become ill and would be obliged to enter a nursing home. This income would be held against him or her on entry to the nursing home.

Moreover, consideration should be given to index-linking this sum, as it will go out of date continually. I assume that regardless of who will be in power, next year's budget will increase the pension again. This will also happen in subsequent years and this sum will require continual revision. My amendment is genuine and the Minister of State would be foolish not to accept it, unless he possesses additional information. It is in line with Government policy as outlined in a guideline that allows pensioners to earn additional income without affecting their pensions. This is all I seek to do.