Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 June 2013
89. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reassess social welfare policy and associated legislation pertaining to women who gave up work by virtue of the marriage bar and now no longer qualify for full pension entitlement on reaching the age of 66 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28462/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe marriage bar was a condition of the employment in the public service until 1973. Issues relating to public sector employment and pensions are the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
In general, and similar to many civil and public servants, the social insurance class paid by women affected by the marriage bar was a modified rate (i.e. not the full Class A rate) which gives coverage for widow(er)'s and orphan's pensions, occupational injury benefit, bereavement grant and carer’s benefit only. It did not provide cover for the State pension. The modified rate of social insurance was a condition of employment for public servants at that time. Accordingly, even if those affected by the marriage bar had continued in employment, contributions paid at this class would not have given entitlement to a State pension (contributory) under the social welfare system.
The homemaker scheme, which was introduced in 1994, can make qualification for the State pension (contributory) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age or incapacitated adults to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being averaged to determine qualification for the State pension. The homemaker disregard will not, of itself, qualify a person for a pension. The standard qualifying conditions, which require a person to enter insurance ten years before pension age, pay a minimum of 520 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.
The State pension is a valuable asset and is based on a system of contributions. Therefore, it is important that entitlement to State pension is based on a substantial contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over a working life.
