asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the numbers of old age pensioners in the State in each of the years 1922, 1932, 1942, 1951, and if he can state the estimated numbers of such pensioners for 1956 and 1961.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensioners.
In the years 1922, 1932, 1942 and 1951 the numbers of old age pensions in payment on the last Friday in March were:—
|
Year |
Number of pensions |
|
1922 |
129,257 |
|
1932 |
110,793 |
|
1942 |
136,360 |
|
1951 |
150,722 |
If legislation relating to old age pensions were to remain precisely as it is at the moment, it is tentatively estimated that the number of old age pensioners in 1956 and 1961 would be:—
|
1956 |
143,000 |
|
1961 |
138,000 |
Amending provisions relating to old age pensions which I propose to move on the Committee Stage of the Social Welfare (Insurance) (No. 2) Bill, 1950, are estimated to increase the number of old age pensions by about 7,000.
The introduction of contributory retirement pensions as proposed in the Bill referred to would have the effect of reducing the number of non-contributory old age pensions, but it is not yet possible to estimate what the reductions would be in the years 1956 and 1961.