asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is a fact that a widow (name supplied) whose husband (name supplied) died on 12th January 1964, applied to his Department for forms to enable her to obtain a widow's pension, on or about 24th January 1964; and that she received no reply until the beginning of May, when she was sent another form to fill in; if he is aware that she has received no reply to this form yet; and if he will have the matter investigated, and dealt with as a matter of urgency, in view of the long delay in his Department and the extreme hardship involved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Application for Widow's Pension.
23.
The lady named by the Deputy claimed a widow's contributory pension on 27th January, 1964. Examination of her late husband's insurance record indicated that the statutory contribution conditions for the award of such pension did not appear to be satisfied. Inquiries were, however, continued, in order to ensure that all contributions paid in respect of her late husband and all credits to which he might have been entitled had been accounted for. To this end, communications were addressed to the widow on 29th January, 1964, 17th February, 1964 and 6th March, 1964. It was finally necessary to reject the claim and this decision was conveyed to the widow on 3rd April, 1964. At the same time, she was advised that she might be entitled to a noncontributory pension. Following a reminder a claim for such a pension was received from her on 27th May, 1964, and is being dealt with as expeditiously as possible.