Minister Heather Humphreys said she believed The Social Welfare Bill “is about establishing the principle of pay-related benefit in Ireland. Photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins PhotosBut over time “we can build on and expand this” and pay-linked maternity benefit “is the next logical step”. Speaking in the Dáil as she introduced a “landmark reform” the Minister said “we are opening the door today for that progress in the future”.
“Over time, I believe future governments will be able to build on this. Pay-related benefit will evolve – I have no doubt about that. For example, I absolutely believe we should have pay-related maternity benefit and I think that is the logical next step.” “Disappointingly, we are ignoring women again” in this legislation and “putting women at a significant disadvantage in the longer term in respect of their pension contributions and their overall pension rate”.