asked the Minister for Social Welfare what progress has been made in his consideration of the question of making old age pensions available at 65 years of age; if he can state when he will bring in legislation to deal with the matter; and if he has any interim measures in mind.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensions.
17.
As indicated in my reply to Deputy Andrews on 30th October last, I propose to bring legislation before the Oireachtas at an early date to provide for a limited scheme of retirement pensions for insured persons at age 65.
Would the Minister not agree that this off-sought legislation is long overdue, that it is time the talking stopped and we had some positive action in the matter? As an interim measure would he at least reduce the age from 70 on a phased basis and give some indication when this much-needed legislation will be enacted?
This is positive action which is being taken by this Department and by the Government. I want to make it clear it is not the intention to reduce the age for old age pensions from 70 to 65 years. That is not yet within the capacity of the community to finance. What it is intended to do, as I have just said, is to introduce a limited scheme of retirement pensions for insured persons at the age of 65 years.