asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that, in the case of a person (name supplied) in receipt of a non-contributory widow's pension, upon receipt of an increase in her pension as widow of a Garda her social welfare pension was reduced by an amount in excess of the increase in her Garda widow's pension; and if he will take steps to ensure that the actions of his Department do not, as in this case, offset and more than offset any increase in other types of pension.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reduction in Widow's Pension.
28.
The position is not as suggested by the Deputy. As he was informed in a letter dated 29th October, 1965, the widow in question was overpaid widow's non-contributory pension amounting to £12 15s. 0d. in the period October, 1964, to September, 1965, because of the issue to her of a pension book at the wrong rate. This amount is being recovered at the rate of 5/- a week from the pension now payable to her.
There is no question of a reduction in her widow's non-contributory pension in excess of the increase in her Garda widow's pension. Such a reduction is expressly forbidden by section 15 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1961.
Does the Minister say there is no reduction in a widow's pension as a result of increases granted under the Social Welfare Acts? I have got two letters from the Minister's office giving the specific reason why reductions took place: the increase was not excluded by the Act.
That is not what I said. I said there was no deduction in excess of the increase.
This particular widow had a Garda widow's pension of £9 4s. and that was increased from £9 4s. to £11 8s. She was in receipt of a widow's pension of 26/- per week and that was reduced to 11/- per week.
The Deputy has already been told by letter that this widow had been overpaid.
I know that.
That overpayment is being deducted at the rate of 5/- per week.
Does the Minister believe it is the desire of anybody in this House that, if we give an increase in pension to a Garda widow, that increase is then to be taken off her widow's pension under Social Welfare? Does he agree with me that no Deputy was aware that we were doing that, or desirous of doing it, and will he consider bringing in legislation now to remove that grotesque anomaly?
Every Deputy is aware. I think, that non-contributory pensions are given on the basis of need. This is a case of an overpayment being recovered.
No.
She had £9 4s. Garda pension and that was increased to £11 8s. She was in receipt of 26/-widow's pension and that has been reduced to 11/- per week.