National Pensions Framework will help protect women against poverty
Issued: 08 March 2010
Statement by Mary White
Green Deputy Leader welcomes pension changes on International Women’s Day
Green Party spokesperson on Women’s Affairs, Mary White TD has said the National Pensions Framework, launched by the Government last week, is a positive step in preventing poverty amongst Irish women.
Speaking today on International Women’s Day, the Green Party Deputy Leader said: “For decades in Ireland the pension cover and protection from poverty for elderly women was inadequate. Those who were in a position to work for some of their adult life often found themselves on the margins in later life. Examples such as the qualified adult allowance demonstrated the inequality between men and women in retirement years.
“The National Women’s Strategy 2007-2016 stated that a mandatory system of supplementary pensions would result in women being the main beneficiaries. I am pleased therefore that the new mandatory scheme, as outlined by the Government, should help women at risk of poverty in retirement age.
“Another positive aspect of the framework is the announcement that the homemakers’ disregard will be replaced by a system of credited contributions
in 2012, which will give homemakers up to 10 years of credited contributions towards a State pension. This provision should help the Government meet the target in the National Women’s Strategy, that qualifying conditions for contributory pensions are appropriate.”
Deputy White concluded: “I hope the occasion of International Women’s Day is used as an opportunity to raise awareness of the pensions issue amongst women.”