Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department has made significant progress on the implementation of our Programme for Government commitments.

In the last Budget, I introduced a €2.3 billion Social Protection package. For the second year in a row, it was the largest in the history of the State – protecting the most vulnerable in the State – carers, people with disabilities and pensioners.

The Government decided to maintain the State Pension Age at 66 and we have introduced a system of voluntary deferral up to the age of 70 which allows people to receive a higher rate of payment for each year they defer.

I have passed legislation which ensures that long-term carers are attributed with PRSI contributions so they can attain a State pension in their own right in recognition of the important work of family carers .

I am pleased to say the legislation for the long-awaited Auto-Enrolment scheme has been passed and was signed into law on the 9th of July by the President.

In addition, I have also passed legislation which provides for the introduction of Pay Related Benefit, another landmark reform of our Social Welfare system in Ireland.

Last year I brought legislation through the Oireachtas which means that Child maintenance payments have been removed from the means test for social welfare payments. In addition 'the efforts to seek maintenance' requirement has also been removed.