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Dáil
‹ Questions on Promised Legislation

Pension fraud and women's payments

Summary

Deputy Smith says the Government is pursuing fraud while another serious fraud affects more than 30,000 women pensioners. The Minister says the Minister for Social Protection is reviewing the issue and that he will ensure she gets the information when the report is completed.

My question concerns the Department of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Leo Varadkar, as he promotes himself through this campaign against alleged fraud. The language he uses in answering parliamentary questions is interesting. He wants to promote discussion, challenge perceptions, encourage reporting, increase awareness, demonstrate the seriousness of the Government and the very deep consciousness of the Department in fulfilling its obligations. The Minister's replies use very good language but another very serious fraud is being carried out on more than 30,000 women pensioners who are being denied a proper full contributory pension because of a flaw in the pensions legislation, to which we proposed an amendment last year. The Minister refused to accept this amendment but said he would carry out a review. When are we going to have this review of gross pension inequality, mainly among women pensioners in receipt of the old age pension. Can we please see it soon?

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The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, is undertaking such a review. I cannot indicate to the Deputy when that report will be completed but I will ensure she is given this information.

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