Vol. 225 No. 8
andMr. McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of persons in the country who were in receipt of the maximum non-contributory old age pension prior to the recent increase, and the number of these who obtained the recent 5/- increase.
125.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons who benefited from the recent 5/- increase in the non-contributory social welfare payments.
126.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that the 5/- increase in old age pensions, etc. due on 1st November, 1966, is not being paid except in a very small percentage of cases in County Sligo; and if he will explain the qualifications necessary in order to qualify for this extra 5/-.
127.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of old age pensioners who have received the increase of 5/- per week on or since the 1st November last.
128.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of old age pensioners in County Donegal, other than those in the mental hospital and county home, who have received the increase of 5/-per week in their old age pensions on or since the 1st November last.
129.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of recipients of non-contributory old age pensions in County Meath; and the number of such pensioners who qualified for the recent 5/- increase.
130.
(Cavan) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons in receipt of non-contributory old age pensions in County Cavan; and the number who qualified for the recent increase of 5/-a week.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to answer Question Nos. 124 to 130 together.
The total number receiving maximum old age non-contributory pension on 31st October, 1966, was calculated at 73,100. So far the number who have qualified for the old age pension increase, comprising those who have no means assessed against them, is 10,074. Statistics of these have not been kept separately in respect of each county. In addition, 2,700 widows have qualified for the extra 5/-.
In regard to unemployment assistance it is estimated that 20,000 recipients and 10,000 adult dependants benefited from the increase. The total number benefiting was, therefore, about 42,774.
The numbers in receipt of old age non-contributory pension in Counties Cavan and Meath are 3,672 and 2,097, respectively.
