Cabinet hopes to progress Bereaved Partner's Pension Bill as a matter of priority
Surviving For Partner's Cohabitants Eligible Their See Minister Which Will For Pension Drafting Heather Protection Social Approval Got Humphreys Priority
Cabinet is hoping to progress the Bereaved Partner's Pension Bill as a matter of priority, but it will not pass before the summer recess.
Heather Humphreys got approval for priority drafting which will see surviving cohabitants eligible for their partner's pension.
The move to change the legislation comes after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Tipperary man John O'Meara's case over his exclusion from the widower's contributory pension as he had not been married to his long-term partner.
Eligibility criteria will be broadened and the pension will be renamed as the Bereaved Partner's Contributory Pension.
Meanwhile, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee updated Cabinet on plans to speed up processing times for international protection applicants.
This response to the rising number of applicants will see the recruitment of 400 additional staff over the coming 12 months.
It is estimated there will be a total of 20,000 to 25,000 applications submitted this year.
Previous investment in staffing resulted in a trebling of the number of decisions in the International Protection Office.
The target for decisions will increase from 1,100 per month to 1,800 per month and this will further increase to 2,200.
In 2023, the number of appeals that reached the tribunal increased by 300% to 4,775.
The planned investment in every stage of the system will raise targets to 1,000 appeals monthly initially and subsequently 1,250 per month.
Also raised at Cabinet on Tuesday was the proposal to cap interest rates on private home mortgages at 3%.
The Government will oppose the bill brought by People Before Profit saying the best way to deliver sustainable mortgage lending at a reasonable cost is free competition among providers and a consumer protection framework.
Finance Minister Michael McGrath said there is an understanding that increasing interest rates coupled with the rising cost of living is causing difficulties for some mortgage borrowers.
He said that he met with the CEOs of banks and mortgage lenders to urge them to support customers who find themselves struggling in the face of rising interest rates.
It was also noted that Budget 2024 provided measures in relation to mortgages and the cost of living.
Mr McGrath said that the intention behind the bill, which is scheduled before the Dáil on Thursday, is appreciated, but not the way to tackle the issue.