asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether his Department have disclosed to the Minister for Defence the means of old age pensioners for the purpose of enabling the Minister for Defence to reduce the allowances payable under the Army Pensions Acts, 1943 to 1961; and if he will state the statutory authority for disclosing such information about the means of old age pensioners.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disclosure of Old Age Pensioners' Means.
4.
The only information furnished by my Department to the Minister for Defence in regard to the means of old age pensioners is that obtained with the consent of such pensioners as are applicants for, or recipients of, pensions or allowances under the Army Pensions Acts, in the course of the investigation or reinvestigation of the applications. The investigations are made under the authority of those Acts, by officers of my Department, in accordance with administrative arrangements between the two Departments.
Are we to take it that these disclosures do not constitute a breach of confidence in relation to the person supplying the information?
As far as I understand the position, the social welfare officer sends a report to the Minister for Defence when the Minister asks for it. The applicant is, of course, quite free not to give any information if he so wishes. It follows that, if he gives no information, nothing is done.
Is it not a fact that the Department of Defence notify the Department of Social Welfare as to the amount by which special allowances have been increased?
I am not aware of that.