asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of persons affected by the reduction in the pension age from 70 to 68 years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensions.
129.
The estimated number of persons who have qualified, or will qualify for pensions, by reason of the reduction in pension age from 70 to 68 years, is 48,000. Those pensioners, plus more than 6,000 retirement pensioners, benefit from earlier eligibility for free travel, free electricity allowances and free television licences by reason of the reduction in the pension age. A further estimated 4,000 persons, not entitled to social welfare pensions, become entitled to free travel.
130.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the arrears of old age pension will be issued to a person (name supplied) in County Meath who was granted the pension in July, 1974 and was informed that the arrears would be issued later; and if he will state the reason for the delay in this case.
There are no arrears of pension due to the person referred to in the Deputy's question.
He became entitled to old age contributory pension in consequence of the reduction of pension age from 69 to 68 years, which took effect from 5th July, 1974. The pension order book which was issued to him provided for payment of pension from that date.
131.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when arrears of old age pension will be issued to a person (name supplied) in County Meath; and why a cheque was not issued in accordance with the terms of the letter of 27th September, 1974.
A payable order for all arrears of contributory old age pension due was issued to the person concerned on 7th November, 1974.
Prior to the award to him in September, 1974, of a contributory old age pension payable as from 5th July, 1974, the person concerned claimed and was awarded, also with effect from 5th July, 1974, a non-contributory old age pension including an increase of pension in respect of his wife.
Contributory and non-contributory old age pensions are not payable to a person concurrently. Accordingly, until he had returned to the Department on 21st October, the non-contributory old age pension books issued to him and it was seen that he had not, in fact cashed any pay-order in these books, that the amount of arrears of contributory old age pension due could be finally determined. For this reason it did not prove possible to issue a payable order for the arrears within the period indicated in the letter sent to the Deputy on 27th September, 1974.