Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1175. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons who applied for the new benefit payment for 65 year olds since it was introduced; the number of applications which were refused; and the number approved. [19844/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As of end March 2021, there were 2,434 people in receipt of the new benefit payment for 65 year olds. The majority of these transitioned to the new payment for over 65s without the need to make a new application.

Any applications and decisions for this new payment are recorded under the Jobseeker's Benefit IT system, with awarded claims then recording the appropriate administrative code for the payment for those aged 65 and the conditions of that scheme applied.

As such, I am advised that while it is not possible at this stage to isolate those applying for the payment for over 65s, data can be provided on applications received for Jobseeker's Benefit from persons aged 64 and older. A total of 645 people aged 64 and older have applied for Jobseeker's Benefit since the introduction of the new benefit scheme, of whom 145 are now currently in receipt of the Benefit Payment for 65 year Olds.

As the scheme has only recently become operational, a clearer picture will emerge over the course of the year as more people reach the age of 65 and apply specifically for the Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds.