Brian O'Shea
Question:37 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the fact that those who retire in their early sixties with occupational pensions through early retirement schemes are paid unemployment benefit for 15 months but then will not qualify because of the means test for unemployment assistance between that and the time of their eligibility for retirement pension on reaching age 65 years, he will provide that all those who have 45 years of paid contributions should be allowed qualify for retirement pension at the time their unemployment benefit expires which would have the effect of releasing jobs for unemployed people as it would make it much more attractive for them to retire; and if he will make a statement on the matter.