David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 537: To ask the Minister for Finance the number who received the Centenarians Bounty in 2004, 2005 and to date in 2006; the total amount expended in each respective year; the number of those that have been paid to date to Irish people living outside the state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29643/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Office of the President that the numbers who have received the Centenarians Bounty in 2004, 2005, and to date in 2006, and the total amount expended in the respective years is as follows:

The significant increase in numbers and costs in 2006 is due to the decision of the Government earlier this year to extend the eligibility criteria for the Centenarian Bounty to all Irish citizens born in the island of Ireland but who left Ireland to take up permanent residence abroad.

A total of 117 centenarians living outside the State have so far received the Bounty. Of these, nearly half live in the United States with the vast majority of the remainder almost equally divided between Northern Ireland and Britain. Centenarians living in South Africa and New Zealand have also been in receipt of the Bounty.