asked the Minister for Social Welfare the current net estimated additional cost of paying to non-contributory old age pensioners and non-contributory widow and orphan recipients the maxima of the current non-contributory pension rates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensions. Widows' and Orphans' Pensions.
116.
The estimated additional cost would be in the region of £3.5 million a year.
117.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the increased cost in a year to the Exchequer of paying old age contributory pensions at age 65 instead of 70 assuming (a) the continuance of the current one-third contribution from employers and employee and (b) an increase of 25 per cent on the current contribution from employers.
The increased cost to the Exchequer in a year of paying old age contributory pensions at 65 instead of 70, assuming that employers and employees each contributed one-third of the net additional cost, would be about £1,450,000. If employees contributed one-third of the net additional cost and the employers' one-third share of that cost were increased by 25 per cent the increased cost to the Exchequer would be about £1,035,000.
118.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why an old age pension has not been granted to a person (name supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will reconsider this matter in view of the evidence submitted and the extenuating circumstances of the case.
It has been decided by an appeals officer that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age pension on the ground that he does not satisfy the statutory condition as to residence. The appeals officer considered all the evidence submitted and his decision is final and conclusive.