asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will statewhether he has issued instructions to social welfare officers to be stricter in the application of the means test when investigating claims for old age pensions, widows' pensions and blind pensions as was alleged by Deputy P. W. Palmer in the House on the 3rd December (column 1569, Volume 143 of the Official Report).
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Application of Means Test.
No such instructions, written or oral, have been issued.
In February last social welfare officers were requested to furnish to the chief inspector particulars of a schedule of agricultural values which they are required to keep up to date. It was emphasised in the instruction that means were to continue to be assessed without any change.
Is the Minister aware that I ignore his reply to such an idiotic question?
Is the Minister aware that the slander was circulated throughout South Kerry and it is about time to put a stop to it?
I wonder if the Minister and the Deputy have yet settled who established the travelling creameries in South Kerry?
Question No. 22—Minister for External Affairs.
There is only one thing certain, that Deputy Palmer had nothing to do with it.
Well, certainly neither you nor Deputy Flynn established them either.