More than 500 centenarians were honoured by President Michael D Higgins with a Centenarian Bounty for reaching their 100th birthday last year.
Figures obtained by the Irish Daily Star show that a total of 514 people received a letter and cheque from President Higgins upon reaching their 100th birthday between January and November 2021.
Some 419 women and 95 men received a cheque for €2,540 and a special letter on their 100th birthday in the first 11 months of the year. Figures for December are yet to be confirmed.
Some 427 of these centenarians still live in Ireland while 87 are living abroad.
The figure is largely in line with previous years, as 546 people received the Centenarian Bounty in 2020.
The Centenarian Bounty is usually awarded on behalf of the President by a local member of the clergy or friend of the centenarian.
A letter of congratulations signed by the President accompanies the award.
The centenarian can also request that the letter and the President's bounty be sent directly to themselves without a presentation ceremony.
A spokesperson for Áras an Uachtaráin said: “The tradition by which people who have reached their 100th birthday receive a a gift from the State of €2,540 and a special message from the President of Ireland, wishing them a happy birthday and congratulating them for their longevity, was started in 1940 by President Douglas Hyde.
“In 2006, the Government decided to extend the eligibility criteria for the scheme so that all Irish citizens born on the island of Ireland are eligible to apply.
“Since January 1, 2000, the President of Ireland has also marked the birthday of people over the age of 100 years.
“On a person’s 101st and each subsequent birthday, they receive a special commemorative coin in a presentation box with a congratulatory letter signed by the President.
“A new coin is designed for each year.”
The Centenarian Bounty is paid to all Irish nationals and foreign nationals resident in Ireland on their 100th birthday.
Irish citizens born in the island of Ireland who have reached 100 and are living outside the State are also eligible for the Bounty.
The Department of Social Protection automatically forwards information about people who are about to reach 100 and who are getting pensions to the office of the President.
The office of the President then makes the award directly to the individual.
Irish people and foreign nationals resident in Ireland who are not receiving a social welfare pension should contact the Pensions Section in the Department of Social Protection to apply for the Centenarian Bounty.
The Department will arrange for a social welfare inspector to verify the information.
Once it has been verified that the person is eligible for the bounty, the award will be made to them.
Irish citizens born in the island of Ireland and resident outside the State should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Once it has been verified that the person is eligible, the award will be made to them.
