Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Jun 1971

Vol. 254 No. 8

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Beneficiaries.

21.

Mr. Hogan

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state at the latest date for which figures are available the total number of people in receipt of (a) old age pensions (contributory and non-contributory), (b) widows' pensions (contributory and non-contributory), (c) blind pensions, (d) orphans' pensions and allowances, (e) treatment benefit, (f) disability benefit, (g) occupational injuries benefit, (h) children's allowances, (i) free travel and (j) deserted wives' allowances.

Mr. Lalor

As the answer is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.

Following is the information sought:

	Number of people in receipt of	Latest date for which figures available
(a) Old Age Pensions:
(i) contributory	(i) 46,539	31 March 1971
(ii) non-contributory	(ii) 107,591
	See also (1) below
(b) Widows' Pension:
(i) contributory	(i) 53,313	31 March 1971
(ii) non-contributory	(ii) 16,841
(c) Blind Pensions	6,000 (Estimated)	31 March 1971
(d) Orphans' Allowances:
(i) contributory	(i) 558	31 March 1971
(ii) non-contributory	(ii) 159
(e) Treatment Benefit	*209,450	31 March 1971
(f) Disability Benefit	54,548See also (2) below	January 1971
(g) Occupational Injuries Benefit	2,885	5 April 1971
(h) Children's Allowances	342,669 (representing 991,617 children)	31 March 1971
(i) Free Travel	See (3) below	31 March 1971
(j) Deserted Wives' Allowance	1,349	28 May 1971

*The figure given for treatment benefit is the number of claims paid during the year ended 31 March 1971.

(1) In addition 3,730 persons are in receipt of Retirement Pension.

(2) In addition 11,374 persons are in receipt of Invalidity Pension.

(3) No statistics are available as to the number of persons actually availing of the free travel scheme but the total number of persons entitled to the concession is 191,000.