asked the Minister for Finance whether he proposes to amend the means test clause of the Pensions Act so as to enable the Dublin Corporation to give effect to their committee's recommendations to grant a 20 per cent. increase to blind persons receiving inadequate payments; if he is aware that sanction to pay these increases has been withheld, and that permission to pay increased allowances to meet the increase in the cost of living depends entirely on amending legislation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Blind Persons' Pensions.
Mr. Byrne
In calculating the means of a person for old age pension purposes, account is taken, inter alia, of the income which that person may reasonably expect to receive during the succeeding year in cash, excluding certain items specifically exempted by law. The rate of pension payable per week is based on the yearly means of the pensioner. An increase in a cash allowance paid to a blind person might disentitle him to the rate of pension of which he is in receipt, and steps would then have to be taken to reduce his pension to the appropriate rate. I do not propose to amend the law regarding allowances in cash.
Mr. Byrne
The reply means that the corporation cannot increase the allowances to blind pensioners by the 20 per cent. already passed?
That is not so. The corporation were informed, through the usual channels, that they could, if they wished, increase the benefits in kind.
Mr. Byrne
That is not what is stated in the letter from the Department of Local Government which I have in front of me. It states:
"I am to state that the Minister is advised that such increase would be taken into account as part of the income of the blind person save to the extent to which the increase might be exempt from being so reckoned under Section 2 of the Old Age Pensions Act of 1938."
That is turning them down completely, and will prevent the corporation giving them this 20 per cent. increase to meet the increased cost of living.
I am afraid the Deputy is not fully aware of the situation because the City Manager was informed that, while an increase in cash might result in a reduction of pension, no account would be taken of benefits in kind, such as food or fuel.
Mr. Byrne
Is the Minister stating that the corporation has received a letter in accordance with his last statement—that we can give allowances in kind?
That is what I understand the position to be.