€2m bounty for centenarians paid to people living abroad

Over €2m has been paid out in the last five years to more than 1,000 centenarians born in Ireland but now living in other countries.

The Centenarian Bounty is the award of €2,540 made by the President to people living in Ireland who have reached 100 years of age.

In 2006, the Government approved the extension of the scheme to allow people born on the island of Ireland and who had reached 100 to claim the bounty wherever they reside. The Department of Foreign Affairs processes the applications from outside the State before recommending to Áras an Uachtaráin whether an award of the bounty should be made.