Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019
1776. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the percentage of applicants who receive the full rate of old age contributory pension in tabular form; the number qualified for the maximum payable rate of contributory pension in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to 30 June 2019; if they were male or female; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34780/19]
View answerAccording to the records available to my Department, there were 419,451 state pension (contributory) claimants as at 30 June 2019. Of these, 233,077 claimants receive maximum rate of pension.
Under social welfare legislation, there are a number of ways to qualify for a state pension (contributory). With effect from 30 March 2018, pension entitlement of those born on or after 1 September 1946 can also be calculated under a new Total Contributions Approach (TCA), which includes provision for new HomeCaring Periods. Claimants are assessed under relevant calculation methods and paid the highest rate of pension achievable.
The numbers in receipt of maximum rate, per gender, for the years ending 2014 to 2018 and to end June 2019 are set out in the following table.
|
Period |
Number |
Female |
Male |
%Female |
%Male |
Total |
% of all claimants |
|
Year end 2014 |
Max rate |
47,557 |
130,114 |
27% |
73% |
177,671 |
51% |
|
Year end 2015 |
Max rate |
49,978 |
135,813 |
27% |
73% |
185,791 |
51% |
|
Year end 2016 |
Max rate |
52,498 |
141,676 |
27% |
73% |
194,174 |
51% |
|
Year end 2017 |
Max rate |
55,172 |
147,446 |
27% |
73% |
202,618 |
51% |
|
Year end 2018 |
Max rate |
58,041 |
153,397 |
27% |
73% |
211,438 |
51% |
|
End June 2019 |
Max rate |
72,228 |
160,849 |
31% |
69% |
233,077 |
56% |
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
