Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I would appreciate the Minister's view on the unusual case of two women, twins, who on reaching 65 years qualified for the transition pension prior to getting the contributory pension, one of whom fell ill and was late making her application and is now being pushed into the another category in respect of which she does not have the required number of contributions, which is most unfair. This matter has been the subject of correspondence with the Department for the past four months. Surely, an allowance can be made for a later application due to illness. The twin sister of the woman concerned has qualified for her pension. It is outrageous that the two sisters, regardless of the late application, are being treated differently.