asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is prepared to introduce proposals for legislation with the object of increasing the rate of non-contributory pensions payable under the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Act to the level of the contributory rate; and, if so, whether these proposals will be submitted to the Dáil during the present session.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Act.
The answer is in the negative.
Is the Minister aware that the fact that a good many of these were non-contributory pensions was due to the fact that the husbands had been unemployed for the last two years, but they had been insured persons up to two years ago.
I am not aware that there are very many.
A man who has been unemployed for two years would not be insurable under the National Health Insurance Act, although he might have been contributing for the last 12 years and his widow only gets a non-contributory pension.
Special arrangements are made for special cases to a limited extent.