asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of widows in receipt of (i) contributory and (ii) non-contributory pensions at the latest date for which figures are available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
26.
The number of widows in receipt of widows' contributory and widows' non-contributory pensions on 31st March, 1972, the latest date for which figures are available, was 55,320 and 16,336 respectively.
27.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of recipients of (i) contributory and (ii) non-contributory old age pensions at the latest date for which figures are available.
The numbers were (i) 47,553 at 31st May, 1972, and (ii) 114,378 at 31st December, 1971.
What is the reason for the different dates?
The figures are from the dates when statistics were returned.
Could the Minister have them both brought up-to-date?
Not without a certain amount of effort to bring them up to a particular date. It would involve a good deal of work.
In the previous question, how does it happen that there is the tremendous discrepancy between contributory and non-contributory pensions?
The trend is for the contributory pensions to increase and the non-contributory pensions to decrease each year. Every year there is an increase in the number of contributory pensions.
The widow's contributory pensions are different from the old age pensions by comparison with the non-contributory pensions. One is the inverse of the other. Would the Minister tell us why?
That refers to a previous question. The figures are 55,320 and 16,336 respectively.
How does that compare with 47,553 and 114,378?
(Interruptions.)
Were the figures not mixed up a bit?
No.
Would the Minister like to comment on them?
No, not now.
28.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of persons in the Dublin city and county area who are in receipt of (a) contributory and (b) non-contributory old age pensions; and the number in each category who live alone.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
STATEMENT showing the total number of persons in the Dublin City and County Area in receipt of contributory and non-contributory old age pensions and the estimated number who live alone.
|
Dublin City |
Dublin County |
|
|
Contributory pensioners |
12,328 |
2,470 |
|
Number living alone |
1,800 |
300 |
|
Non-contributory pensioners |
8,476 |
2,410 |
|
Number living alone |
1,200 |
300 |
29.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of persons in the Dublin city and county area who are in receipt of (a) contributory and (b) non-contributory widows' pensions; and the number of dependent children in each category.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle to circulate it with the Official Report. Precise figures are not available of the number of widow pensioners resident in any particular area. The figures given in the statement are, therefore, estimated, but may be taken as reasonably representative.
Following is the statement:
STATEMENT showing the estimated number of persons resident in the Dublin City and County Area in receipt of Contributors and Non-Contributory Widows' Pensions and the number of dependent children of such widows.
|
Dublin City |
Dublin County |
|
|
Contributory Pensions: |
||
|
Number of Widows |
16,700 |
4,000 |
|
Number of dependent children |
5,500 |
1,200 |
|
Non-Contributory Pensions: |
||
|
Number of Widows |
1,700 |
500 |
|
Number of dependent children |
400 |
100 |