Eric J. Byrne
Question:19 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has any plans to means test contributory old age pensions or contributory widow's pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Old Age Pensions Means Testing.
I believe it is important that people should be able to contribute, over their working lives, to a basic level of pension. As many as possible of the elderly should have the security of knowing that they have a right to such a pension. The policy in recent years has been to extend the categories of people paying social insurance so that additional groups like the self-employed now have access to state pensions.
The cost of providing pensions is growing and will continue to grow as more people build up entitlements to contributory pensions. For example, expenditure on the pensions referred to by the Deputy has more than doubled in the last ten years. I am of course concerned about the financing of the system and our capacity to meet the costs in the longer term. I am also conscious, however, of the need to protect the entitlements of vulnerble groups, and I have no plans at present to means test contributory pensions on the lines outlined.
I might add that the final report of the National Pensions Board on the development of a pensions system is expected shortly and the future structure of pensions generally will be reviewed in the light of the board's report.