Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 5

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Schemes.

Seán Ryan

Question:

100 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will report on the number of old age contributory pensioners claiming free schemes (details supplied); the number of non-contributory pensioners claiming for these schemes; the number of old age contributory pensioners not eligible for these schemes; the number of non-contributory pensioners not eligible for these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12588/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The following table contains the information requested by the Deputy. The figures relate to the position at the end of December 1997.

Recipients of Free Schemes

Type of Pension Payment.	Free Electricity Allowance	Free TV Licence	Free Telephone Rental (1)	Free Bottled Gas	Free Natural Gas	Free Travel
Old Age (Contributory)
In receipt	39,534	38,681	31,475	42	2,160	65,237
Not in receipt(²)	30,488	31,341	38,547	69,980	67,862	4,785
Old Age (Non-Contributory)
In Receipt	43,390	43,266	34,463	192	351	96,335
Not in Receipt(²)	55,445	55,569	64,372	98,643	98,484	2,500
Retirement Pension
In receipt	36,691	35,892	24,887	56	1,927	60,898
Not in reciept(²)	35,102	35,901	46,906	71,737	69,866	10,895

Notes:

(1) Includes free rental and a number of free call units in each two-monthly billing period.

(2) Persons not in receipt of free electricity allowance, free bottled gas, free natural gas and free TV licence include old age contributory and non contributory pensioners and retirement pensioners who are residing with similar pensioners who are already in receipt of these free schemes. Persons not in receipt of free telephone rental include old age contributory and non contributory pensioners and retirement pensioners who are residing with similar pensioners either pensioner being incapacitated who are already in receipt of this scheme.