asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will furnish particulars of the number of persons concerned and the total amounts paid to old age and blind pensioners and in respect of widows' and orphans' pensions for (1) the year ending 31st March, 1948, and (2) the year ending 31st March, 1952.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pensions Statistics.
The number of persons in receipt of pensions under the Old Age Pensions Acts on 31st March, 1948, was 149,414, including 5,497 blind persons. The corresponding figures on 31st March, 1952, were 160,304 and 6,001, respectively.
The number of widows' pensions in payment on 31st March, 1948, was 35,696; and these included provision for 21,414 dependent children. The corresponding figures on 31st March, 1952, were 44,150 and 21,965, respectively.
The number of orphans' pensions in payment on 31st March, 1948, was 1,258, the number of orphans concerned being 2,006. On 31st March, 1952, there were 1,136 orphans' pensions in payment, in respect of 1,774 orphans.
In the year to 31st March, 1948, the total amount paid to old age and blind pensioners was £4,841,386; and the total in respect of widows' and orphans' pensions was £1,254,304. These figures include cash supplements. Corresponding figures for the year ended 31st March, 1952, are not yet available.