§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the approximate addition which the removal of the pauper disqualification under the Old Age Pensions Act would entail to previous grants for Ireland; and how much of this grant has been actually applied for since 1st January, 1911?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe number of "pauper" pensioners in Ireland entitled to pensions as from the first Friday in 1911 is, in round figures, 17,300; and on this basis, and assuming that all these pensioners are entitled to 5s. a week, the additional annual cost of Old Age Pensions in Ireland will be approximately £225,000. It is not possible to state how many "pauper" pensioners there will ultimately be in Ireland or what is the amount of pension applied for by such pensioners since the 1st January, 1911.