asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he will introduce proposals for legislation to amend Section 6 of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1919, to ensure that a person disqualified for receiving a pension by reason of detention in a mental hospital shall have payment restored as from the date of his discharge instead of restoration as from the date on which a fresh application is made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mental Patients' Pensions.
Under Section 6 of the Old Age Pensions Act, 1911, a person who is disqualified for the receipt of an old age pension cannot again become entitled to payment unless he makes a fresh claim. This statutory provision provides an important safeguard and has generally worked satisfactorily.