asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state (a) the additional cost of old age pensions based on the number now being paid such pensions if the means test were abolished, and (b) the approximate cost of administering the means test in relation to such pensions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensions Means Test.
7.
(a) If all pensions now being paid at a reduced rate owing to the operation of a means test were increased to the maximum rate, the additional annual cost would be approximately £280,000. The abolition of the means test in all cases would, however, cost an additional £3,000,000 per annum.
(b) The cost of administering the means test in relation to old age pensions is estimated to be about £25,000 per annum.