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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 2

Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.

Billy Timmins

Question:

593 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the estimated cost of reducing the qualifying age for the old age non-contributory pension to 60 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26100/01]

At present old age non-contributory pension is payable to people over 66 years of age living in the State who satisfy a means test. It is not possible to cost this proposal as this would depend on the knock-on effects to other social welfare payments and the effect it would have on the working population aged 60- 65. On the basis that those aged 60-65 who were not already in receipt of a social welfare pension would have an underlying entitlement to an old age non-contributory pension, the cost could be of the order of £480 million, 609 million. Any change in the qualifying age would be a matter to be considered in a budgetary context.

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