Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

This provision is what is called a saver clause. It ensures people on existing pensions will not be affected by the increase in the requirement for contributions. Were the section not to be included, pensioners in receipt of both contributory and non-contributory pensions, but for the most part the former, would find they would need 520 contributions. The increase in the number of contributions required was legislated for in 1997 and again in 2005. Consequently, the reference to Schedule 6 is to the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. It is coincidental that the next section is section 6. While they are two different legislative items, I can understand the confusion caused.