Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 May 2000

Vol. 520 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Seán Ryan

Question:

41 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views on the future of the pre-retirement allowance in view of the fact that workers may wish to continue in employment at a later age and the need to combat ageism in society. [15038/00]

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

The pre-retirement allowance is a means-tested payment which allows a person aged 55 or over to opt to retire from the labour force and receive a weekly allowance. To qualify for the payment, the person concerned must be in receipt of a long-term unemployment payment, or be no longer entitled to one-parent family payment or carer's allowance.

It is important to recognise at the outset that the scheme is entirely optional and there is no obligation therefore on anyone to avail of PRETA. Unemployed people over the age of 55 who wish to continue to seek work are allowed to remain on unemployment assistance. Furthermore, there is no restriction on a person in receipt of PRETA, coming out of retirement and returning to employment if they so wish.

The current strong performance of the Irish economy is reflected in a steady reduction in the numbers seeking to avail of the scheme in recent years. More than 60% of PRETA recipients are aged 60 or more. Given this age profile, I expect the decline in numbers to continue in the future.

I have asked my Department to examine ways of supporting older unemployed workers back into the workforce and to look at the future role of PRETA given the changed environment.