Joe Walsh
Ceist:182 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to pay a wider range of pro-rata pensions, as recommended by the National Pensions Board. [14541/96]
Written Answers. - National Pensions Board Recommendation.
The National Pensions Board in its final report, Developing the National Pension System, put forward, inter alia, a number of recommendations relating to eligibility for old age pensions generally, including proposals for a wider range of pro rata pensions related to the average number of contributions over an insured lifetime. They also recommended that the number of paid contributions required to qualify for an old age (contributory) pension be increased from 156 (3 years) to 520 (10 years) contributions.
The report and its recommendations are being studied within the Department at present with a view to bringing forward proposals in a budgetary context. Any such proposals would also, of course, have to take account of the future financing of pensions generally.