asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of retirement pensioners to whom EEC supplemental pensions were paid on an erroneous application of Article 50 of EEC Regulation 1408/71; the number of such persons to whom non-increased pensions have been, or are being, paid since the date of the discontinuance of the EEC supplemental pension; and having regard to the substantial increases in living costs since such supplemental pensions were stopped, if steps will now be be taken to increase the value of retirement pensions in all such cases.
Written Answers. - EEC Supplemental Pensions.
367.
It is not possible to say how many pensioners were awarded supplements under Article 50 of Regulation 1408/71. However, in April 1978 when such supplements ceased to be awarded to pensioners resident in this country, 120 retirement pensioners were in receipt of supplements, together with 42 old age contributory pensioners and 46 widow pensioners.
It was decided, rather than to reduce the pensions of those concerned in April 1978, to phase out the supplements by withholding future increases in pension rates until such time as the supplements would be eliminated. Following the increases in pension rates in April 1980, the number of retirement pensioners still in receipt of a supplement was 25, together with 10 old age contributory pensioners and 12 widow pensioners. As these pensioners are still in receipt of pensions of a higher amount than that applicable on a strict interpretation of the EEC Regulations, increases in pension cannot be paid to them until their position has been regularised.