On the 8th Februrary 2016, Senator Higgins launched the Age Action Report which detailed how the changes introduced in 2012 to pension entitlements had a disproportionately negative impact on women.
Senator Higgins had contributed to the research for this report which was written by Maureen Bassett and commissioned by Age Action. The changes introduced in 2012 disadvantaged many of the same women who had been impacted by the legacy of past injustices such as the marriage bar.
Senator Higgins has previously campaigned for just pension reform in her roles with Older and Bolder and the National Women's Council of Ireland, in particular addressing the gender pension gap. As a member of the Social Protection committee, she continues to bring the systemic gender inequality in Ireland's pension system to the agenda.
The launch of this report was covered in the Irish Independent,
Senator John Dolan, CEO of the Disability Federation of Ireland, has been a close colleague of Senator Higgins in the Civil Engagement Group over the past term in the Seanad. Together, they have worked on several initiatives and pieces of legislation to support the rights of persons with disabilities.
She is grateful to have his support.
Proposed amendments would directly address loopholes which could be exploited by companies like Cambridge Analytica.
