Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senator O'Reilly referred to non-contributory old age pensions. The number of people on such pensions is decreasing and, as the Senator correctly pointed out, most of those in this category are women who, in the 1960s, were not allowed to remain in the workforce when they got married. I will pass the Senator's strong views on to the Minister. I fully support the Senator in this regard. When we considered this matter approximately three to four years ago, the number of people in receipt of these pensions was 26,000. I am sure this figure has decreased to below 20,000.

Senator O'Reilly also made a proposal for a pilot scheme in respect of carer's allowance and referred to ensuring that patients remain outside long-term institutions. The Senator's suggestion is good and I will communicate his views to the relevant Minister.

I already referred to the issue of investment for the future in replying to the comments made by Senator Ross.