Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Dec 1990

Vol. 403 No. 4

Written Answers. - Contributory Pension Scheme.

Paul McGrath

Question:

94 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the number of soldiers still serving who opted out of the spouse's and children's contributory pension scheme, which commenced in 1978; the number of soldiers who are now retired on pension who opted out of the scheme; and the number of widows of soldiers that opted out of the scheme who are unable to draw contributory pensions.

Minister for Defence (The Taoiseach)

There are somewhat in excess of 2,100 serving soldiers who have opted out of the spouse's and children's contributory pensions schemes.

It is not possible to estimate with any accuracy the number of pensioners who opted out of the schemes or the number of widows whose husbands opted out of the schemes.