Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022
527. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of men and women separately who were recipients of the benefit payment for 65-year-olds in 2021; the number of men and women separately aged 65 years who were in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18115/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBenefit Payment for 65 Year Olds is a payment for people aged 65 who have ceased employment or self-employment and who satisfy the pay-related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. It became operational in February 2021. To qualify for Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds, you must:
- be 65 years of age
- have ceased employment/self-employment
- be resident in the Republic of Ireland
- have sufficient PRSI contributions
Jobseeker's allowance is a means tested payment to people who are unemployed. To qualify for jobseeker's allowance, a person must:
- be fully unemployed, or work three days a week or less
- be available and genuinely seeking work
- be capable of work
- pass a means test
- meet the habitual residence condition
Table 1 below shows the number of males and females in receipt of the Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds by month in 2021. Table 2 below shows the number of males and females aged 65 in receipt of jobseeker's allowance in 2021 by month.
Table 1: Number of recipients of Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds in 2021, by month and sex
|
Month |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
February |
1,016 |
1,074 |
2,090 |
|
March |
1,161 |
1,273 |
2,434 |
|
April |
1,222 |
1,430 |
2,652 |
|
May |
1,329 |
1,538 |
2,867 |
|
June |
1,392 |
1,627 |
3,019 |
|
July |
1,441 |
1,720 |
3,161 |
|
August |
1,534 |
1,822 |
3,356 |
|
September |
1,588 |
1,932 |
3,520 |
|
October |
1,684 |
2,011 |
3,695 |
|
November |
1,786 |
2,090 |
3,876 |
|
December |
1,767 |
2,063 |
3,830 |
Table 2: Number of recipients of jobseeker's allowance aged 65 by month in 2021, by month and sex
|
Month |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
January |
1,390 |
687 |
2,077 |
|
February |
1,394 |
694 |
2,088 |
|
March |
1,365 |
708 |
2,073 |
|
April |
1,344 |
711 |
2,055 |
|
May |
1,318 |
722 |
2,040 |
|
June |
1,313 |
737 |
2,050 |
|
July |
1,282 |
744 |
2,026 |
|
August |
1,278 |
707 |
1,985 |
|
September |
1,262 |
714 |
1,976 |
|
October |
1,269 |
710 |
1,979 |
|
November |
1,247 |
701 |
1,948 |
|
December |
1,273 |
738 |
2,011 |
