Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If you go below the 520 contributions, the actual pension you would get would be in the region of just over €30. That is how it works. There is always room for improvement. There is no doubt about that. I agree with Deputy Durkan on that. I have brought in many improvements to the pension system. I have kept the pension age at 66 and allowed the flexibility for people to work to 70. They can build up those credits if they are short, so they can get a minimum pension and the pension for long-term carers, which is important. Many people have applied for that. I am delighted because there are many long-term carers. The Deputy is right that women gave up their lives to look after a child who may have severe disabilities. The child could have passed on. The women were ready for retirement and suddenly they had nothing. That was wrong. That has changed. I will leave it at that. We will let the Topical Issue debate commence.

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