asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he is aware that where a widow in receipt of a non-contributory pension receives a small contribution from her son, temporarily employed in England, her pension is reduced or discontinued.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widows' Pensions.
Every non-contributory pension under the Widows and Orphans Pensions Acts is subject to a means test, that is, a pension is not payable or may be payable only at a reduced rate, if the net weekly means of the applicant, calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Acts and regulations, exceed a prescribed sum. The Acts provide that means shall include all income in cash which the applicant may reasonably expect to receive including any voluntary or gratuitous payments in excess of 2/6 a week. In assessing the amount of such voluntary or gratuitous payments made to a widow, each case is dealt with on its merits and regard is had to the regularity of the payment.