asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is yet in a position to indicate when legislation will be introduced for the purpose of raising the limit of remuneration for the purpose of insurability under the Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts, so as to include non-manual workers in receipt of remuneration in excess of £250 a year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widows' and Orphans' Pensions Acts.
The Minister to be appointed to co-ordinate the income maintenance services will, no doubt, as one of his first tasks undertake a comprehensive review of the scope, as well as of other aspects of those services, including widows' and orphans' pensions. It is not deemed expedient, pending that review, to amend individual schemes. I am, therefore, not in a position to say whether or when legislation will be introduced to include compulsorily in the widows' and orphans' pensions scheme non-manual workers who are in receipt of remuneration in excess of £250 a year.
As the Deputy is, no doubt, aware non-manual workers who reach the income exemption limit of £250 and who are thus no longer compulsorily insurable have the option of continuing their insurance on a voluntary basis. Interested persons can obtain copies of leaflets explaining the voluntary contributor scheme in detail on application to my Department or to the National Health Insurance Society.