Centenarian Bounty
Information
The Centenarian Bounty is a national award made by the Irish president to people who have reached 100 years of age.
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.
From 1 January 2000, the President has also marked the birthday of each person resident in Ireland over the age of 100 years. On his or her 101st and every subsequent birthday, the person receives a special commemorative coin in a presentation box, along with a congratulatory letter signed by the President. A new coin is designed for each year.
Rules
The Centenarian Bounty is paid to all Irish nationals and foreign nationals resident in Ireland on their 100th birthday. Since March 2006, the eligibility criteria has been widened such that Irish citizens born in the island of Ireland who have reached 100 years of age, wherever they may reside, are now eligible to apply for the Bounty.
Rates
You will receive €2,540 and a congratulatory letter signed by the President on your 100th birthday.
You will also get a commemorative coin and a congratulatory letter from the President on your 101st and subsequent birthdays.
How to apply
People living in Ireland and getting an Irish social welfare payment
Information about people who are about to reach the age of 100 years and who are in receipt of Department of Social Protection pensions is forwarded automatically to the office of the President in advance of their birthday by the Department. The office of the President then makes the award directly to the individual.
People living in Ireland but not getting an Irish social welfare payment
Information about people (Irish nationals and foreign nationals) resident in Ireland who are not receiving a social welfare pension should be forwarded to Aras an Uachtarain (the President's residence). See 'Where to apply' below.
This information will then be passed to the Pensions Section in the Department of Social Protection. The Department will arrange for a Social Welfare Inspector to verify the information, this may involve a visit by the Inspector. When it is verified that the person is eligible for the bounty, the award is made.
People not living in Ireland
Information about Irish citizens born in the island of Ireland and resident outside the State, should be forwarded on an application form for Centenarian Bounty to their nearest Irish diplomatic mission or the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (see 'Where to apply' below). When it is verified that the person is eligible for the bounty, the award is made to the citizen.
Where To Apply
Centenarian Bounty
Aras an Uachtarain
Phoenix Park
Dublin 7
Ireland
Tel:(01) 617 1000
Fax:(01) 617 1001
Homepage: http://www.president.ie/
If you are living abroad contact your nearest diplomatic mission or the Consular and Passport Division (Centenarian Bounty Scheme) in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Consular Services
69-71 St. Stephen’s Green
Dublin 2
Ireland
Tel:+353 1 478 0822
Homepage: http://www.dfa.ie/home/index.aspx?id=301
Language
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Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.