asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is in a position to state when pensions will become payable to pre-Act widows and orphans under the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Act, 1935.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widows' and Orphans' Pensions.
Dr. Ryan
Non-contributory pensions to pre-Act widows and orphans are payable as from the first appointed day, to be fixed by Order of the Minister. No Order has yet been made, but it is intended that the first appointed day should be Friday, 3rd January, 1936.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state the number of applications for pensions under the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Act which were received in his Department, the number of such applications which have been considered and determined, and the number still awaiting a decision.
Dr. Ryan
The number of applications for pensions under the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Act received up to and including 2nd December is 18,719. The number of applications which have been considered and determined is 5,020. In 33 cases the applicants withdrew their claims. The number of applications still awaiting decision is 13,699.
asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he can state (a) the number of widows whose applications for pensions under the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Act have been sanctioned for payment; (b) the number of orphans in respect of whom the payment of pensions has been sanctioned; and (c) the number of widows and orphans expressed separately, whose applications for pensions were rejected.
Dr. Ryan
(a) the number of widows whose applications for pensions have been sanctioned for payment up to and including the 2nd December is 318; (b) the number of orphans whose applications have been sanctioned is nil; (c) the number of applications for pensions which have been rejected are (1) widows, 4,627; (2) orphans, 42.
Would the Minister say what steps have been taken to determine the claims which are at present on hands before the first appointed day?
Dr. Ryan
They are being proceeded with.
The Minister knows, of course, from his own reply that only 318 widows have been awarded pensions, and this is the 4th December.
Dr. Ryan
But quite a big number have been rejected.
But there are still 13,000 outstanding?
Am I to understand from the Minister's reply that over 4,000 out of 18,000 have been rejected?
Dr. Ryan
That is right.