Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

moonlightbulb via Flickr

Here's how many people the government thinks will turn 100 this year

Enda Kenny has revealed Budget estimates for the Centenarian’s Bounty – revealing how many people will receive it.

HERE’S A GUESSING GAME for your office or dinner table this evening: how many people in Ireland are expected to turn 100 this year?

Enda Kenny gave us the answer at an Oireachtas committee hearing today, when TDs gave their formal approval to the budget for the Office of the President for the 2012 financial year.

The President’s Establishment is being funded to the tune of €3,002,000 for this year – with about a third of this cash being reserved for the ‘Centenarians’ Bounty’, the gift presented to anyone living in the State when they turn 100.

The payment, of €2,540, comes alongside with a congratulatory letter from the President. It is ordinarily presented to the recipient by a personal friend on the President’s behalf.

This year Kenny expects 388 people to receive the bounty – that’s less than 0.01 per cent of the estimated population of 4,581,269 as provided in the last census.

Former recipients of the bounty also receive a specially minted coin for every birthday after their 100th, with a new coin commissioned every year.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
21 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Teddy O Shea
    Favourite Teddy O Shea
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 4:36 PM

    They spend Millions on wasters of politicians salaries every year so why not reward those who have seen it all before and still have the balls to stay alive.

    Fair play to them they.

    217
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Stanley
    Favourite Tony Stanley
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 5:32 PM

    My gran reached 100 last year and I can assure you the cheque barely lasted anytime to cover her now excessively high care charges!

    96
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dublin City
    Favourite Dublin City
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 5:54 PM

    So you’re saying better to get nothing is it?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Stanley
    Favourite Tony Stanley
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 7:01 PM

    Eh no! I’m saying it was needed but it’s not like it was a mighty sum made to last!

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ailís McKernan
    Favourite Ailís McKernan
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 6:41 PM

    jesus h. they deserve it. old people should be cherished, and they have no doubt struggled hard throughout their working lives and contributing taxes, helping to shape a fledgling Republic and bring you, their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, relative stability and freedom. These people have lived through two world wars, a rising, a civil war, they have lived a century of unprecedented change in the history of man. two and a half grand is nothing compared to what they have given! i know we are being put through the mill lately, but we shouldn’t allow that to blind us from seeing those who have truly served their country and begrudge them a meagre gift such as this. I’d rather my taxes contribute to that than some bloated double expense lining a hypocritical ministerial pocket!

    90
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dublin City
    Favourite Dublin City
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 4:36 PM

    Letter goes: “since you already live longer than expected, and Received more money in pension than ever contributed, here’s an extra token to congratulate you screwing PRSI system” ;)

    Roll on thumbs down, it’s only a joke :) true, but joke :)

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Faldo
    Favourite Frank Faldo
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 7:02 PM

    I think everybody that lives until their 100 should get a million euros.Then when they are 80 I bet the family will look after them hoping to bebifit from the million.

    70
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph Bosh
    Favourite Joseph Bosh
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 4:02 PM

    While I do a agree with a letter and a token gift from the president to anyone reaching 100 am I the only one who thinks this is a bit excessive and a waste of money?

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Julian King
    Favourite Julian King
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 4:10 PM

    I agree. Why €2500? Make it €100 to signify 100 years or at least €1000.

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Scott
    Favourite Mike Scott
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 4:13 PM

    Hey I’d say they spend the cash fairly sharpish! I bet most of them don’t even risk buying green bananas!!!

    162
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Sheridan
    Favourite David Sheridan
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 4:13 PM

    I will ask you the same question when you are 99! :o)

    162
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute All Aboutdavey
    Favourite All Aboutdavey
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 6:39 PM

    I would imagine most of the centenarians put it toward the cost of either nursing home expenses or to help pay for their funerals. Terrible to see so much begrudgery toward people who helped build this country and whose taxes paid for our education, health service, and probably sacrificed a lot to give their children a good start in life. You can be guaranted that most of them grew up in abject poverty in the early 20th century, at least let them die with a few quid in their pocket.

    176
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Helena Hasler
    Favourite Helena Hasler
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 10:05 PM

    I know one who is using it to throw a massive party for herself and her family and why the hell not, as my gran in law says we were told we’d love 3 score and 10 every year over that’s a bonus.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph Bosh
    Favourite Joseph Bosh
    Report
    Apr 20th 2012, 1:41 AM

    The money I can live with but has anyone considered the cost of minting 400 special commerative coins a year? Yes one on your centenary but why one every year after that? And why change the coin every year? (that’s what I was mainly talking about – should have been clearer)

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute jimbo
    Favourite jimbo
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 7:22 PM

    kenny is praying for us not to reach 100

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Dunphy
    Favourite James Dunphy
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 8:36 PM

    What?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Mc Avinue
    Favourite Sean Mc Avinue
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 9:24 PM

    €2540? Jesus two more years, just two more years. I love my mother in law!

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute corky2004
    Favourite corky2004
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 8:49 PM

    Better spent on this than on Dail dry cleaning amongst other things…

    And given that theyre gonna make us work till 70 before getting a state pension , it’s the least they can do!

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shauna Carroll
    Favourite Shauna Carroll
    Report
    Apr 19th 2012, 5:18 PM

    @ julien I think you mean at the most

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Humphreys
    Favourite Declan Humphreys
    Report
    Dec 31st 2012, 5:17 PM

    Nice touch on Government’s behalf and some age to live to.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Phill
    Favourite Phill
    Report
    Dec 31st 2012, 6:48 PM

    A high ranking member of the medical community told me recently that any child being born in Ireland today has a 30% chance of reaching 100.
    I reckon we’re not going to be able to afford to do this for too much longer.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds