asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the arrangements for the introduction of the pre-retirement allowance scheme are in place; when it is intended that this scheme will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Pre-retirement Allowance Scheme.
89.
Section 28 of the Social Welfare Act of 1988 provides for a new scheme called pre-retirement allowance to be paid to persons who have reached a certain age and have retired but who have not reached pensionable age and who would otherwise be entitled to claim long term unemployment assistance. The allowance will be paid by books of paying orders of the type already used for pensioners.
Regulations to enable the scheme to come into effect are being drafted. They will prescribe the minimum age for eligibility as 60. Initially, the scheme will be confined to those with "nil" means; those who have means can be brought into the scheme at a later point.
The detailed procedures to be followed by staff at the Department's local offices in implementing the scheme are being finalised at present and instructions in the matter will issue shortly. The first task will be to issue an information leaflet and application form to all current long-term recipients of unemployment assistance with "nil" means who are over 60 years of age in order to give them the opportunity of opting for the new scheme. The aim is to have this task completed by the end of next month. The further administrative arrangements will then be put into operation and it is expected at this stage that by the autumn order books will be in the hands of those who opt for the scheme.