Over €8 million for 27,803 elderly receiving senior citizens grant

A total of 27,803 elderly aged 75 and over have so far received a €300 allowance over and above their pension this year.

According to information tabled in parliament, the measure has so far cost €8,299,520.

On the other hand, a total of 28,396 persons had received the allowance last year, totalling €8,098,318.

The €300 allowance was first introduced in 2011 to those aged 80 and over. Some 13,000 pensioners had benefitted from the measure. In 2012, the age benchmark was widened by two years to 78 years.

The age group was widened again in 2014, when the age was dropped by three years allowing elderly aged 75 to join the scheme.