Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)

It is great that we are discussing Cork North-West and these issues in general. I congratulate the Senator on her election and wish her every success.

The Department has outlined the various schemes and payments - the pension payments and social welfare payments - the double jeopardy issues and so forth. Everybody understands what social welfare payments entail.

All of us will have come across very genuine cases. The point the Senator made in relation to bereavement can come at any age. The Taoiseach recently stated that this would be looked at – he did not make any commitments - to see whether there is an anomaly in the system and if there is, how best we can work through it.

On the half-rate carer's payment, this was an issue over 20 years ago. At that time, Joe Callanan, a former Deputy from Galway, and I proposed a motion to the effect that there should be a second payment for carers. That is how the half-rate carer's payment came in the noughties. We did a body of work in relation to it because many people were getting State pensions or social welfare payments and caring for loved ones such as siblings or children. The Government brought in the half-rate carer's payment at that stage.

The point the Senator made in that context needs to be explored. If we are looking at the widow’s or widower's pension being paid on the basis of the PRSI contributions of a deceased spouse or partner, then we must consider what is involved. We made amendments to this pension, which were welcome. We all know of couples who have been in committed partnerships for 20 or 25 years. Previously, there was a discrepancy or an element of victimisation there. We are trying to put that right.

The Senator’s point relates to the precedent involved. She asked whether something can be done if a spouse or partner dies and the pension is claimed on the basis of his or her PRSI contributions. In such circumstances, the surviving partner will continue to pay PRSI because they are working. If they have an accident or illness, they still have the same commitments. The Senator inquired if we might explore this matter in the context of social welfare legislation. I will take that back to the Department and ask that it be reviewed. There may be something we can do. We all come across these cases in our constituency work. They are challenging. I am not giving any carte blanche commitments, but I take the point the Senator made. There is work to be done. We will work on the points she made and respond accordingly.