Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

This section provides that where unpaid contributions are paid subsequent to the date of the claim, the pension will be payable only from the date on which the contributions are paid. In essence, this is similar to the previous situation we discussed. Another door is being closed. The Minister is aligning all of the schemes, and there is no problem with that if people know their rights and they need to check this matter. There needs to be an awareness campaign. This should be advertised. It is not good enough to state the Citizens Advice Bureau will inform people if the closing date is January. Will the Minister allow more time for it to be highlighted to people? That would be fair.