Seán Power
Ceist:290 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Finance if he will increase the centenarians' allowance as a generous gesture to those who survive into the next century. [9724/99]
Written Answers. - Centenarians' Bounty.
The allowance the Deputy is referring to is known as the centenarians' bounty and was last increased from £250 to £300 on 1 January 1996,
Deputy Michael Noonan also raised this matter with me at a meeting of the Dáil Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service on 8 December 1998, while discussing a supplementary estimate for Vote 1 – President's Establishment. I informed Deputy Noonan that, while the payment is at the discretion of the President, I would have the matter examined in the context of the year 2000 budget.