asked the Minister for Health whether he has issued instructions that persons resident in county homes, who have had their old age pensions increased from 28/6d. to the maximum rate of contributory old age pensions, should be required to surrender the entire increase to the local authority which controls the county home.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Charges to Old Age Pensioners in County Homes.
6.
The answer is in the negative.
May I inquire from the Minister whether, if this action took place on the part of a local authority functioning through the county manager, it would have his approval?
It is not for me to approve or disapprove. I have no function in that matter.
May I point out to the Minister that the purpose of this House in passing the contributory old age pension legislation was to improve the lot of people who the House felt——
The Deputy is debating the Minister's statement, not asking a question.
What I want to point out is that the Minister, as Minister for Social Welfare responsible for ensuring that the intentions of the House are given effect to, must be concerned with the manner in which that legislation is implemented by county managers.
That is surely a debating point, not a question.
I want to ask the Minister why he will not exercise his functions in this respect, seeing that he does on many occasions interfere with county managers in the direction of local affairs.
That statement is quite untrue.
He would not interfere with doctors, either.