James Lawless
Ceist:326. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection when the means test for non-contributory pensions was introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49426/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 12 October 2021
Ceisteanna (326)
Freagraí scríofa
The original Old Age Non-Contributory pension was first introduced in Ireland in 1908 via the passing of the Non-contributory Old-Age Pensions Act in Parliament covering the United Kingdom & Ireland. Payment was made, subject to a means test, to those people over the then State Pension Age of 70.
There has thus always been an element of means testing for an old age pension in Ireland. When the Old Age Contributory Pension was introduced in 1961, the Old Age Non-Contributory Pension continued to be paid to those who qualified through lack of means. In 2006 the Old Age Non-Contributory Pension was renamed the State Pension (Non-Contributory) which continues to this day.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.