In general, the social insurance class paid by those affected by the marriage bar was a modified rate which now gives coverage for widow(er)'s and orphan's pensions and occupational injury benefit, bereavement grant and carer's benefit only. This class reflected their occupational pension position and general contract of service at that time. Accordingly, even if they had continued in employment, contributions paid at this class would not have entitled them to an old age pension under the social welfare system.
That said, in line with the Government's commitment to ensure that as many people as possible can qualify for pensions in their own right, a number of measures have been introduced over the years which make it easier for people to qualify for pensions. These include the reduction in the yearly average number of contributions required for pension purposes from 20 to 10 and the special half rate pension based on pre-53 insurance contributions. Pro-rata pensions are also available to allow people with mixed rate insurance. This set of measures is of particular benefit to women who may have less than complete social insurance records due to working in the home.
It is estimated that approx 88% of women aged 65 years of age are at present receiving social welfare support, either in their own right or as qualified adults on the pension of their spouse or partner.
In addition, the homemaker's scheme, which was introduced in 1994, is intended to mitigate the effect of periods spent on caring duties when a person's insurance record is being averaged for pension purposes. The scheme allows up to 20 years spent on caring duties to be disregarded when a person's insurance record is being averaged to assess entitlement for contributory pension purposes. However, it must be borne in mind that the scheme will not of itself qualify a person for a pension. The standard qualifying conditions for pensions, which require a person to enter insurance 10 years before pension age, pay a minimum of 260 contributions at the correct rate and achieve a yearly average of at least 10 contributions on their record from the time they enter insurance until they reach pension age, must also be satisfied. Accordingly, the scheme will not benefit someone whose social insurance record includes only modified rate contributions.
It is not, for a number of reasons, possible to estimate the cost of providing pensions to persons affected by the marriage bar. Some of those affected may have returned to the workforce and have become eligible for a social welfare pension on foot of such employment or may already be receiving social welfare support as non-contributory pensioners or as qualified adults on the pension of their spouse or partner.
I will continue to look for ways, within the current social welfare structure, in which the needs of older people who are at present outside the social welfare pensions system may be addressed further.