The most recent data published by the Central Statistics Office shows that average industrial earnings were £333.23 per week as at December 1999. Pension rates of 34% of average industrial earnings would accordingly be around £113.30 per week.
In this regard, the report of the national pensions policy initiative, published by the Pensions Board in 1999, recommended that a target rate of 34% of average industrial earnings should form a backdrop to the achievement of the Government's £100 per week target for the maximum personal rate of contributory old age pensions in 2002. The board considered that the target should be achieved within a five to ten year period. With regard to the appropriate rate for non-contributory pensions, for example, the old age and widow/er's non-contributory pensions, the board concurred with the Commission on Social Welfare's earlier view that a 10% differential between social insurance and social assistance payments should be maintained.
The Government is committed to advancing the goal of bringing the old age contributory pension up to £100 per week in the forthcoming budget and to extending the £100 commitment to all social welfare old age pensioners by 2002. I am currently giving consideration to the pre-budget submission of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament in the context of budgetary measures for pensioners.
