asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider the introduction of proposals for legislation to enable applicants for widows' pensions to presume the deaths of their former husbands by an inexpensive method.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Presumption of Death Procedure.
It is not proposed to introduce legislation for the purpose suggested.
Officers of the Department who deal with claims for widows' pensions may presume the death of a claimant's husband in any case where the circumstances so warrant.
Could the Minister say if the officers of the Department have ever presumed death?
They have.
In how many cases?
I do not know how many cases but they have done so.
They have powers then which circuit judges and other judicial authorities have not got. What are their qualifications?
They give the decision for nothing.
You must be a member of the Fianna Fáil cumann to get it, though.