Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:178 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the average pension payable on foot of pre-1953 contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33784/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 15 December 2004
Ceisteanna (164)
Freagraí scríofa
Pre-1953 pension was introduced with effect from 5 May 2000 for people who commenced insurable employment before 1953 and who had at least 260 insurance contributions paid, comprising either national health insurance or a combination of social insurance and national health insurance. The current 2004 rate of pre-1953 pension payable is €83.70 which is the equivalent of half the standard personal pension rate. With the recently announced budgetary improvements, this amount will increase to €89.70 per week. Increases for qualified adults and child dependants, where applicable, are also payable at 50%.
There are some 28,000 people in receipt of a pre-1953 pension. Of these some 25,000 are in receipt of a standard pre-1953 pension and some 3,000 are in receipt of a pro-rata rate of pre-1953 pension. The average amount of standard rate pre-1953 pension is €95.80 and the average amount of pro-rata rate pre-1953 pension is €8.50. The annual cost of pre-1953 pension is estimated at €113.9 million comprising payments of €42.2 million to pensioners living in Ireland, €57.5 million to pensioners resident in the UK and €14.2 million in other countries.