Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 4

Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.

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

Invalidity pension is a contributory social insurance payment for people who are permanently incapable of work.

The current weekly rates of invalidity pension are in excess of the minimum rate recommended by the Commission on Social Welfare, ranging between 103 per cent in the case of claimants aged under 65 years and 118 per cent in the case of claimants aged 65 and over. The recent budget provides for a £3 per week increase, 4.2 per cent for some 43,100 invalidity pensioners aged under 65 and £6 per week increase 7.2 per cent for a further 2,000 invalidity pensioners aged 65 and over, from the beginning of June, 1999. On the basis of expected inflation of 2 per cent in 1999, these increases represent real increases of 2.2 per cent and 5.1 per cent respectively. The qualified adult allowance is also being increased by £3 a week for all invalidity pensioners. Following the implementation of these budget increases, the weekly rates of invalidity pension will range between 105 per cent and 124 per cent of the CSW target rate.

In addition to the weekly pension, the needs of invalidity pensioners are also met through the provision of a range of additional benefits, including the medical card, rent and mortgage sup plements, the free travel pass, free electricity allowance, free television licence, free telephone rental allowance, fuel allowance etc.

The question of future increases in social welfare payments, including increases for invalidity pensioners, is a matter for consideration in a budgetary context in the light of available resources and having regard to the commitments contained in the Government's An Action Programme for the Millennium, Partnership 2000 and the National Anti-Poverty Strategy and the recommendations contained in the Report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities.