Joe O'Toole (Independent)

With a couple which has just reached a divorce settlement, somebody could be without a house but have half the value of a house. The person may be waiting to purchase a place. The person may have a very low income but much money generating income for a short period and he or she would not be in a position to apply for a medical card. I can understand how the Government, under this section, has brought in a period after a person becomes a widow or a widower to allow settling afterwards. I do not agree with the length specified, but the Government has provided for it and there was a good reason for it.

Surely similar arrangements must be made if there is such an upheaval in a person's life and he or she is suddenly in a position where his or her life has changed and he or she is not part of a couple anymore. The person may have half the value of the family home and this could potentially earn much interest. With no other real source of income, the figure would be false. Surely this must be taken into consideration and it would be utterly unfair otherwise.

I rise in answer to the Minister's comments to the Fine Gael Senators, which indicated a person would be treated as a single person in the case of divorce. It is grossly unfair that a person could find themselves in such a position at a time when he or she is trying to come to terms with single life. The person would be hit with another hammer blow.