Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I do not propose to accept this amendment. There has been a range of reforms to the social welfare system over recent decades which make it easier for people, and women in particular, to qualify for contributory pensions. The Government has taken action to improve the position of those who do not qualify for a pension in their own right but are supported as qualified adults on the pensions of their spouses or partners. The programme for Government contains a commitment to increase the rate of the qualified adult payment to the level of the non-contributory State pension over three years.

There are also many older women who for various reasons cannot benefit from the many changes outlined. Their position, together with that of others not covered by the social welfare pension system, and the implications of providing for them are discussed in the Green Paper on pensions published on 17 October. We await the outcome of the public submissions in response to the Green Paper to which everyone, Members, women in that situation and others, are welcome to make a submission.