Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the Government's commitment to increasing allowances for spouses over 66 to full old age non-contributory level will be honoured; if same will be implemented by 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36908/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to increasing the rate of the qualified adult allowance for those over 66 years to the level of the maximum personal rate of the old age non-contributory pension. A number of special increases have been given over several budgets in pursuit of this target. In budget 2004, the rate of the allowance for persons aged 66 and over payable to invalidity pensioners was brought up to the level paid in respect of qualified adults who are 66 years of age and over on the old age contributory and retirement pensions. This involved a special increase of €16.10 per week for this particular group of qualified adults and was one of the steps necessary to fulfil the Government's commitment in this area.

The cost, based on current rates of payment, of fulfilling the Government commitment in this area is €47 million in a full year. In that context, further progress on aligning the relevant rates will be considered in budgetary context, and in the context of overall welfare reform measures.