asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware that the statutory deduction of £26 per annum made from the earnings of a widow for the purpose of calculating her pension is not made when she qualifies for the old age pension, and that, as a consequence, a Balbriggan widow with a widow's pension of 12/-received only 5/- per week when she qualified for the old age pension; and, if so, whether he will take steps to have the position rectified.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widows' Pensions.
I am aware that the statutory position is as indicated in the first part of the question save that the relevant provision refers to "income derived from personal exertions" and not to "earnings". In the majority of cases widows get an increase on changing over from widow's pension to old age pension. It may happen that where a widow has an income derived from personal exertions her old age pension would at the outset be lower than the widow's pension previously paid. Her old age pension would, of course, be increased according as her income decreased or disappeared.
I should, perhaps, point out that the basis of computing means under the old age pensions and widows' and orphans' pensions codes is essentially different and the statutory deduction to which the Deputy refers was intended to encourage widows to take up some form of employment if they were in a position to do so.
I think that the number of cases in which a reduction occurs in switching over from widow's pension to old age pension is negligible, but I will have the question examined when amending legislation of the relevant Acts is next being considered.