Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2018
579. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost in 2019 of increasing the State pension, non-contributory, top rate to the State pension, contributory, top rate including pro rata increases for qualified adults. [17886/18]
View answer580. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost in 2021, 2028 and 2046 of increasing the State pension, non-contributory, top rate to the State pension, contributory, top rate including pro rata increases for qualified adults. [17887/18]
View answer581. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated additional cost of providing a pension payment of €243.30 to each recipient of a State pension payment including those who receive a qualified adult payment in cases in which the primary payment is a State pension. [17888/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 579 to 581, inclusive, together.
The cost of increasing the State Pension Non Contributory to the maximum rate of the State Pension Contributory is estimated to be €57 million in 2019.
With regard to the costs in 2021, 2028 and 2046, it is not possible to provide costs for these years as specified by the Deputy as the number of recipients of the State Pension Non-Contributory and the rates of payment for both State Pension Non Contributory and State Pension Contributory cannot be known or estimated at this stage. Without these figures, it is not possible to provide an estimated cost.
The additional cost of providing a payment of €243.30 to each recipient of a State pension payment, including those in receipt of a reduced rate of payment as well as those in receipt of a qualified adult payment, is estimated to be €540 million in 2019. This costing includes increases in the reduced rates of State Pension Contributory and Widows, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension as well as the weekly rate of €232.00 payable to recipients of State Pension Non Contributory.
The costs shown above are on a full year basis and are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2018. It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2019. It should also be noted that all of these costings include proportionate increases for qualified adults and for those on reduced rates of payment, where relevant.
