asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether the wife of a man qualified for a contributory old age pension who is living apart from her husband is entitled to receive the supplement of 32/6d. which would be payable if they were living together.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Contributory Old Age Pension.
61.
The adult dependant's allowance is 37/6d. not 32/6d. This is payable to a male old age, contributory, pensioner only if he is living with or wholly or mainly maintaining his wife. If neither of these conditions is fulfilled the allowance is not payable. The allowance is an integral part of the pension and, accordingly, is payable to the pensioner and not to the adult dependant. However, I am making regulations which will empower me to pay the allowance to the adult dependant where the circumstances so warrant.
Would the condition of supporting a wife in a case like this be fulfilled if the husband informed the Minister of his desire that this 37/6d. should be paid to his wife?
The regulations have not been drafted yet but there must be some good reason why the allowance should be paid direct to the wife rather than to the husband because it is an integral part of the contributory old age pension.
I appreciate that, but I think the Minister said if the husband were, in fact, supporting his wife, the amount would be payable. In this case the husband and wife are living apart, and have been for many years. If the husband formally notifies the Minister of his desire that the 37/6d. should be paid to his wife as his support of her, would that fulfil the condition?
Yes.
So that if he writes to the Minister stating that he wishes this to be paid to his wife as his support of her, payment will be made to her?
That would be the idea, to cover cases like that.
Is it not a fact that under existing regulations this can be carried out? Is it not also a fact that people have already had their pensions divided where husband and wife are living apart? Why the necessity for bringing in new regulations?
No. At the moment it can only be paid to the pensioner.
I am afraid the Minister is misinformed.
No.