Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps he will take to fulfil the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government to extend the amount those in receipt of the State non-contributory pension are allowed to earn without it affecting their pension entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20806/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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A disregard of €100 per week of earnings from employment was introduced at the end of September 2006 for the purposes of the State Pension Non-Contributory. To further encourage State pensioners to participate in the workplace, the disregard was doubled, from €100 to €200 per week with effect from January 2007.

While labour force participation by people aged 55-64 years is increasing in Ireland and is the sixth highest of the twenty seven EU countries, participation by people over 65 years has been declining over many years. I would expect that the doubling of the disregard should act as a further incentive to pensioners to return or remain in the workforce. It should also help address the concerns of pensioners about reductions in pensions and benefits, along with affording them the opportunity to increase their weekly income and standard of living. An Agreed Programme for Government contains a commitment to further extend the amount those in receipt of the State Non-Contributory Pension are allowed to earn without it affecting their pension entitlement. I look forward to progressing this commitment in a Budgetary context, having regard to available resources.