asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will indicate (1) the date when Section 3 of the Social Welfare Act, 1951, becomes operative; (2) whether persons concerned, who are in receipt of I.R.A. special allowances, disability or wound pensions under the Army Pensions Acts, 1923 to 1949, and persons in receipt of assistance from charitable organisations should apply forthwith for old age pensions, and (3) whether they will be entitled to payment from the date of application; and, if not, whether he will indicate the date when payment becomes due.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Act, 1951.
Section 3 of the Social Welfare Act, 1951, is operative as from and including the 17th July, 1951.
Persons who consider that they will benefit from the section should make claims for pension or increase in pension, as the case may be, through the local social welfare officer.
Any pension or increase in pension granted will be payable as from the date on which the relevant claim is received, but in the case of claims at present under consideration, the benefits of the section will be applied as from the 17th instant.
Mr. O'Higgins
Is the Minister aware that applicants for special allowances whose claims have been refused, have received notification from the Minister for Defence that they are not entitled to a review for 12 months? Would it not be possible to have this review made automatically?
The Minister for Defence is amending his regulations to bring them into line with this clause in the Social Welfare Bill. I cannot say if that particular aspect of it has been considered.
Mr. O'Higgins
Will the Minister discuss it with the Minister for Defence?
I will.
Mr. Byrne
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state what date he proposes to appoint for the purpose of Section 4 of the Social Welfare Act, 1951, which authorises the increase in old age pensions.
On the Final Stage of the Bill in the Dáil I stated that I hoped it would be possible to bring the new rates into operation at the end of the present quarter. Arrangements are being urgently made to carry out this undertaking. I hope, in due course, to be able to make an Order naming the 5th October next as the appointed day from which the new rates will operate.
Mr. Byrne
Will the Minister make the payment such that it will carry with it arrears from the date on which it was promised by his predecessor, or will he give it from the date when it passed the Dáil or passed the Seanad or previously?
Would the Deputy quote the promise made by my predecessor in that connection?
Did he not introduce the Bill?