Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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166. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will provide clarity surrounding the new benefit payment for 65-year-olds (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62393/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds, provided under the Jobseeker's Benefit schemes, was introduced in line with the Programme for Government commitment to address the position of people who are required to or choose to retire at age 65 before the pension age of 66.

The payment is designed to bridge the gap for people who retire from employment or self-employment at 65 until they qualify for the State Pension at age 66, i.e., for those who can demonstrate a recent attachment to the workforce. A person who retired or was made redundant in 2016 does not meet the conditions for the scheme.

Government has agreed to explore the design of a scheme to modify the current Benefit Payment for 65-year-olds to provide a benefit payment for people who, following a long working life, 40 years or more, are not in a position to remain working in their early 60s. Proposals from this process will be considered in due course.

I trust that this clarifies the position.