asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the continuing increases in the cost of living and the declining value of money, he will now liberalise the means test for the non-contributory old age pension and widows' pension so as to permit such pensioners to have more private means than the present extremely small allowance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Means Test for Pensions.
41.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave to a similar question by him on 4th November, 1964.
Would the Minister not agree, in view of the declining value of money, that £52 10s. a year is too low a figure? In view of present money values, would the Minister not agree——
This is clearly an argument, not a question.
It is not. I am asking is it not time——
The Deputy is making an argument by means of a question. There are many other members who have questions on the Order Paper.
It is time to change the system. If a widow has a shop or small farm and her income is more than £52 10s. a year, she is deprived of the maximum pension. The same applies to old people of 70 years of age.
I cannot allow the Deputy to proceed with this argument as if he had a motion down. He must either ask a question or resume his seat.
The system should be changed with regard to these people.
That is not a question in the sense envisaged by the Standing Orders. It is argument. Would the Deputy not agree that could be used for almost anything?
That is the usual method of asking questions in this House. It is quite usual.
I am not in favour of spending whatever money is available for this purpose by giving it to people, who have means, at the expense of people who have no means.
Does the Minister consider that a person with £1 a week is fairly well off?
I prefer to use whatever money is available to raise the amount of the maximum pension and thereby give it to those who have no means as well as to those who have some means.
I am asking that the means test be eased?
I do not think the most equitable thing to do would be to use money in that way. I do not think there is any justification for it at all.
It is very desirable.