Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 291: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will address the pensions issue for those who had to resign their positions due to the marriage bar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27499/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is anxious to ensure that as many people as possible can be accommodated within the social welfare pensions system, with due regard being paid to the contributory principle underlying entitlement to contributory payments and, in the case of non-contributory payments, the need to ensure that resources are directed to those who are most in need. Over the last 10 years, means tests have been improved and qualifying conditions for contributory payments made easier.

As the House is aware, I published the Green Paper on Pensions on 17th October and this includes a full discussion on the social welfare pension position of women who had to resign due to the marriage bar. In this context, the Green Paper sets out a range of reforms including the use of universal entitlements and back-dating the homemakers scheme.

A consultation process on the Green Paper is now underway and will remain open until mid 2008. The Government will respond to the process by publishing a framework for future pension's policy and I expect that this will happen towards the end of next year. Decisions in relation to those who are not at present receiving support through the social welfare system, including those who had to leave employment on marriage, will be considered in that context.