Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2018
221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the annual cost of State pensions from 2004 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2377/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy is detailed in the tables.
The 2018 Revised Estimate for pension expenditure is €7,571,360 million. Details of expenditure to date in 2018 will not be available until the first week of February.
Table 1: Pensions Expenditure Outturn, 2004-2010
|
Expenditure (€000) |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
|
State Pension (Non Contributory) |
599,988 |
631,299 |
727,782 |
920,167 |
972,765 |
1,000,546 |
977,293 |
|
State Pension (Contributory) |
1,050,348 |
1,152,849 |
1,580,896 |
2,754,749 |
3,117,855 |
3,367,733 |
3,451,503 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
983,706 |
1,060,052 |
857,627 |
79,070 |
92,089 |
104,976 |
108,194 |
|
Widows', Widowers'/Surviving Civil Partners' Contributory |
906,449 |
998,524 |
1,094,884 |
1,204,979 |
1,299,039 |
1,353,391 |
1,335,584 |
|
Widows', Widowers'/Surviving Civil Partners' Death Benefit |
6,185 |
6,523 |
7,047 |
7,574 |
8,036 |
8,207 |
7,778 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
13,190 |
13,572 |
12,686 |
16,673 |
17,851 |
18,889 |
18,292 |
|
Total Expenditure |
3,559,866 |
3,862,819 |
4,280,922 |
4,983,212 |
5,507,635 |
5,853,742 |
5,898,644 |
Table 2: Pensions Expenditure Outturn, 2011 to 2017
|
Expenditure (€000) |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 Estimated Outturn |
|
State Pension (Non Contributory) |
971,769 |
963,211 |
952,457 |
954,411 |
972,206 |
982,138 |
994,742 |
|
State Pension (Contributory.) |
3,622,746 |
3,802,795 |
3,983,264 |
4,185,233 |
4,475,691 |
4,662,372 |
4,915,997 |
|
State Pension (Transition) |
132,395 |
146,629 |
137,270 |
73,768 |
1,185 |
245 |
0 |
|
Widows', Widowers'/Surviving Civil Partners' Contributory |
1,337,865 |
1,343,198 |
1,349,840 |
1,369,759 |
1,422,098 |
1,437,090 |
1,466,603 |
|
Widows', Widowers'/Surviving Civil Partners' Death Benefit |
7,977 |
7,827 |
7,775 |
8,068 |
8,248 |
8,594 |
9,371 |
|
Bereavement Grant |
19,436 |
19,755 |
20,286 |
4,271 |
56 |
10 |
0 |
|
Total Expenditure Vote and SIF |
6,092,188 |
6,283,415 |
6,450,892 |
6,595,510 |
6,879,484 |
7,090,449 |
7,386,713 |
In 2006, age-related pensions were replaced by State Pensions with significant administrative changes to several schemes. These alterations, implemented in stages following the introduction of the State Pension, resulted in substantial migrations of recipients between schemes with accompanying changes in expenditure and recipients on these schemes. The most significant transfers of recipients were those involving State Pension (Contributory) which was formerly known as the Old Age Pension (Contributory) and State Pension (Transition) which was formerly known as Retirement Pension.
Since 2006, recipients of Widow/Widower’s Pension, Deserted Wife’s Allowance, Blind Pension, and One-Parent Family Payment have transferred to State Pension (Non-Contributory) upon reaching 66 years of age, resulting in some decreases in recipients and expenditure on such schemes and associated increases on State Pension (Non-Contributory). Recipients of Invalidity Pension are now automatically transferred to State Pension (Contributory) at 66 years of age.
