Pension Provisions.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2007

Tuesday, 20 March 2007

Questions (546)

David Stanton

Question:

616 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 29, 71 and 90 of 1 March 2007, regarding the 47,000 people who are not receiving a pension payment in their own right or as a qualified adult on the pension of their spouse or partner, if he will provide a breakdown of the number and percentages of men and women and also a breakdown by five year age group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10580/07]

Written answers

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan)

On the basis of the number of people receiving social welfare support and the Population and Migration Estimates published by the CSO, it is estimated that 47,000 people of pension age are not receiving a social welfare pension payment in their own right or as a qualified adult on the pension of their spouse or partner. Further details of this estimate are not readily available.

It is considered that the group in question probably consists mainly of former public servants and self-employed people together with their spouses. Issues in relation to people not eligible for pensions will be discussed in the forthcoming Green Paper on Pensions and decisions regarding pension provision for this group will be made in the context of the consultation process which will follow its publication, and the framing of a long-term policy for future pension provision. The Green Paper is due to be finalised by the end of this month.