Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the action he has taken in respect of the commitment in the programme for Government to examine the possibility of introducing a paternity benefit. [5239/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for questions relating to entitlement to paternity leave rests with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The question of a social insurance funded payment for paternity leave would be contingent on an underlying entitlement to statutory parental leave. While male employees are not entitled under Irish law to either paid or unpaid paternity leave, they may be entitled to parental leave. Parental leave entitles both parents who qualify to take a period of up to 14 weeks' unpaid leave from employment in respect of children aged up to eight years of age. There is no provision for a social insurance based payment for periods of parental leave, but employees may be entitled to credited contributions to maintain their social insurance record for the period.

The introduction of paid parental leave or paternity leave would have significant cost implications for employers and/or the Exchequer and the social insurance fund. Any proposals for introducing any such payments would have to be examined with regard to its effect on the sustainability of the social insurance fund and employers' costs in terms of global competitiveness. In the case of paternity leave it would require legislation on the part of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to provide for a statutory entitlement to the leave. Under 'Towards 2016' the Government is committed to reviewing the level of provision of maternity and paternity leave before the end of 2008.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the plans he has to review the farm assessment procedures within his Department for entitlement to non-contributory payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24834/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Deputy is concerned in particular about the current arrangements applying in the case of old age pension where a land-holder leases land or is otherwise in possession of land which is fallow or idle. Currently, a Group in my Department is undertaking a review of means testing arrangements generally and I understand that the issue raised by the Deputy is being considered by the Group. While no specific measures in relation to the leasing of land have been introduced in recent years, a wide range of important reforms were announced for non-contributory pensioners, including farmers, in conjunction with the introduction of the State pension (non- contributory) in 2006. These impact on farmer pensioners generally including farmers who have let land or are considering leasing their land. The new pension replaced a range of non-contributory payments for persons aged 66 and over including the old age pension.

All these schemes featured a common means disregard of €7.60 per week, which had not increased since the 1970s. This general disregard was increased to €20 with effect from September 2006 and was subsequently increased to €30 with effect from January 2007. This means that the first €30 per week of all means, including any means from the letting of land, is not taken into account. Budget 2008 provides for an increase of €12 per week (6%) for all non-contributory pensions, bringing the weekly rate of pension to €212 per week with effect from January. In addition, I increased the fuel allowance by 1 week, from 29 to 30 weeks. These measures will be of considerable benefit to many thousands of non-contributory pensioners.

Increases in rates and other improvements in pensions over many years have been among the major achievements of the Government. Since 2002, the level of the State pension non-contributory has increased by over 58% from €134 to €212 following Budget 2008. This improvement has had a marked impact on the living standards of older people enabling them to face the future with a greater sense of security and dignity. The Government is determined to maintain and improve on the progress we have made in improving pensioners' incomes. It is committed to achieving a pension of at least €300 per week by 2012.