Vol. 537 No. 5
433 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans he has to confer independent pension rights on women who were forced, due to the marriage ban, to leave pensionable employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16954/01]
The Government is committed to extending pension cover to as many categories as possible and as a result more flexibility has been introduced into the qualifying conditions for the old age contributory pension scheme. Measures already introduced include the reduction in the average number of PRSI contributions required for pension purposes to ten and the payment of a special half rate pension for those with pre-53 insurance contributions who cannot satisfy the average contribution test. Pro rata pensions are also available for people with mixed rate insurance records.
These measures are making it easier for people, particularly women, with reduced or broken insurance records to receive a contributory pension. Specific issues in relation to the operation of the marriage bar in the public service are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
At present it is estimated that about 90% of women over 65 years of age are receiving a social welfare payment. Of these 87% have a payment in their own right with about 62% of those who have a payment receiving one based on their PRSI record. While recognising that the social insurance system cannot cover all gaps in pension coverage, nevertheless, as I indicated in my speech on the budget more needs to be done in this area.
In particular, the existing homemaker's scheme, which is intended to protect the pension entitlements of those who take time out of the paid workforce to care for children or sick relatives, is being reviewed. This and other issues, including the cost and administrative implications, are being considered in the context of the second phase of the review of the qualifying conditions for old age contributory and retirement pensions which is being undertaken by a working group comprising officials of my Department and the Department of Finance. It is expected that the phase 2 report will be available for consideration in the context of budget 2002.
The Government has also decided to increase the rate of the qualified adult allowance for those over 66 years of age to the full old age non-contributory pension rate. A major step towards this objective was taken in budget 2001 by providing an increase of £15 per week in the full rate qualified adult allowance.
Following consideration of the report of the PPF working group which is currently examining the issues of administrative individualisation, arrangements will be put in place so that part of the pension can be paid directly to the qualified adult as a homemaker's pension. This measure, when combined with the proposed increase in the qualified adult allowance, will benefit many women who cannot qualify for a payment in their own right.
