The Social Protection Minister says it was demeaning for people who retired to have to sign on while they waited for access to pension payments.
A new payment has been introduced to bridge the gap between the retirement age of 65 and eligibility for the state pension at 66.
It is called the Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds and is worth 203 euro a week, which is the equivalent of Jobseekers Allowance, and 45 euro less than the state pension.
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Those who do sign up to this new scheme will not be included in the Live Register figures from the CSO.
Social Protection Minister and local TD Heather Humphreys has said the change is in effect from today:
