I am pleased to have this opportunity to raise on the Adjournment the Ombudsman's report, and, specifically, lost pension arrears. As Labour Party spokesperson on older people's issues I compliment Mr. Murphy on the conclusions of his report which are both frank and hard hitting. Given the importance of the decision of our Ombudsman, I believe that it is imperative that we, as legislators, take account of his reports and that, obviously, includes the Government. It is obvious that from 1985 to 1997 the Department of Social Welfare disregarded the legitimate concerns of the Ombudsman on behalf of pensioners and widows. The changes in the system following the 1997 Ombudsman's report could have been implemented at any stage from 1985 if the will to do so existed. It is my considered view that the changes were not made because the Department believed it was dealing with a small vulnerable group in society, the elderly, who due to its circumstances was unlikely to initiate political lobbying.
The report clearly identifies why claims were late: ill-health; lack of knowledge of the social welfare system; widows who, bearing the trauma of their widowhood, were unable to look after their financial affairs for some years following the death of their spouses; prior to 1997 a claim had to be made within three months; incorrect advice on entitlements and so on. I put it to the Minister that none of these justified non-payment of entitlement.
Recently in regard to abuse against children in State controlled institutions the Taoiseach resolved to make good the neglect suffered by too many of our people. A number of years ago women who were denied their just social welfare entitlements as outlined under EU directives were awarded by the previous Government paying the back money to which they were entitled. The Ombudsman's report, published yesterday, on the entitlement of pensioners to receive back money on delayed pension claims is another such case where there is an obligation on the State to right what is wrong.
This country is going through a difficult period. Many of our most important institutions, including the State itself, have been undermined by revelations of wrongdoing or neglect in the past. Standards, although they will never be perfect, had been clearly found to be less than they should be. The positive fallout is a readiness on all sides to confirm that what occurred in the past must now be put right. Fortunately we are living in a period when we can afford to do so. The innate stinginess on the part of the Department which ultimately gave rise to this report no longer has a place in society. If economic growth means one thing surely it is that we can afford not to be mean-fisted. The Minister is not at fault for the current position but the obligation to right it is on him. Ultimately the State has denied members of the public what they are due – a proportion of a pension towards which they contributed all their working lives. The report has identified a number of these cases and I note that the Department has made limited compensation for the unpaid arrears. However, as was the case in respect of equality payments, when a decision is taken in principle it should be vigorously pursued. If I recall correctly the Department, at that stage, placed advertisements in the national newspapers calling on the women who had not initiated claims to do so. A similar approach is appropriate at this stage.
The elderly have made a great contribution to society. Like others they have not been treated well in the past but the excuses which prevailed then no longer apply.
