The new scheme will open for applications early next year.

Those who leave work at 66 will get the current weekly rate of 253 euro, rising to 266 euro at 67, 281 euro at 68 and 297 euro weekly if you retire at the age of 69.

Many remain without a ticket.

The allocations were chosen at random from a pool of 8,000 eligible applicants.

SSE Airtricity recently announced a price hike from October 1st.