Vol. 549 No. 3
79 Mr. T. Hayes asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason there is a difference between the full rate of contributory old age pension and the contributory widow's pension for those who are 66 or over; the cost involved in increasing the contributory widow's pension to the level of the contributory old age pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6301/02]
The old age contributory pension has traditionally been paid at a higher rate than other payments made to those over 66 years of age.
However, I am committed to bringing the rate of the widow(er)'s contributory pension for those over 66 years of age into line with that of the old age contributory pension. A number of special increases granted in recent budgets has seen the gap between the two payments narrow considerably. After the increases granted in budget 2002 the maximum weekly rate of the old age contributory pension for someone under 80 years of age now stands at €147.30. The over 66 rate for the widow(er)'s contributory pension is €144.80, that is, a difference of only €2.50.
The cost of increasing the widow(er)'s contributory pension to the rate of the old age contributory pension is estimated at €9 million for those over 66 years of age. If widows and widowers under 66 years of age are also included the estimated cost rises to approximately €52 million.
Question No. 80 answered with Question No. 75.
