asked the Minister for Social Welfare why an old age pensioner (name and address supplied) is not in receipt of the full rate of pension.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pension Claim.
30.
The rate of pension was determined by an appeals officer who decided that the pensioner was entitled to 22/6d. a week.
Will the Minister state now whether he is satisfied this man was entitled to the full old age pension, or is he prepared to leave the decision again to a junior officer?
An appeals officer is statutorily appointed to deal with these matters and I am satisfied that, in this case in particular, a fair report was submitted.
Would the Minister personally investigate this matter to satisfy himself whether or not the decision made by the appeals officer was correct?
It is not a function of mine. The appeals officer is statutorily appointed to carry out this work.
Is the Minister aware that I and other individuals in the locality who are familiar with the circumstances of this person wrote to the Minister and to the Department setting out the specific means of this person, and is he further aware that all concerned in the neighbourhood were satisfied this man was entitled to the full pension? In these circumstances, will the Minister re-examine the matter?
The Deputy's representations were before the appeals officer when he made his examination. If the person concerned considers that his means have decreased in the meantime, he can renew his application and have the matter reopened in that way.
There has been no change in the circumstances of this applicant.
I did not say there had been.
I am now putting it to the Minister whether he is aware that at the present moment, and in fact for the past 12 months since he applied for the pension, this man is entitled to the full old age pension and that therefore there is no necessity for him to make the appeal suggested by the Minister. Will the Minister send for the papers either when he goes back to the Department this afternoon or tomorrow, examine them and ask the inspector to have another look at this man's means?
The matter has been statutorily decided by an appeals officer and I have no further function.
Is the Minister then washing his hands of a genuine grievance? I am asking him in the circumstances if he will see that justice is done in this case—whether he will examine the case personally.
The matter can be reopened in the manner I have indicated.
By reopening it in that manner, the man is not entitled——
It is the same matter as has been raised in the question.
Will the Minister not agree to have the case re-examined himself as a result of this question?
The matter has been dealt with by the appeals officer. If the person concerned considers he has a grievance, he can make an appeal.
Is it not a fact that he should not have to do that?
Order. I cannot allow the Deputy to ask any more supplementary questions.
I do not want the rights of the public to be ground under by a lower grade civil servant. It is the Minister's duty to protect the public.
The Deputy has already asked several supplementary questions and I cannot allow him to proceed in this fashion.
May I ask the Minister finally if he is prepared to intervene himself at this stage and examine the papers?
The statutorily appointed officer has dealt with the matter.
It is sent to the Minister for sanction.
Surely the Minister is not suggesting he is merely a rubber stamp.
Order. Deputy McQuillan will resume his seat.
There is a statutorily appointed appeals officer.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy McQuillan will resume his seat.
Is the Minister now in the position in this House that he tells us he has no power to direct the statutorily appointed officer to make a decision?
Order. Deputy McQuillan will resume his seat. I am calling Question No. 31.
The grin will be put on the other side of the Minister's face for this conduct.