asked the Minister for Social Welfare if the occupation of a condemned house is considered as means for a non-contributory old age or widow's pension.
Ceisteanna—Questions (Resumed). - Means Test for Pensioners.
30.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to a question from Deputy Mullen on Thursday, 2nd March (No. 33 on the Order Paper).
Is it true that the occupation of a condemned house is considered as means for the purposes of old age pension? I think it is scandalous that occupation of such a house should be considered as means.
The 1952 Act sets out that among the items constituting means is the yearly value of any advantage accruing from the personal use or enjoyment of property.
How does the Minister claim that a person could enjoy living in a condemned house?
I did not use the word in that sense.
The answer to the question is "yes", is it not?
It would not be correct to say that. Each case is considered on its merits.
Occupation of condemned houses has deprived a number of applicants from getting the extra 5/-.
Is that so?
Yes.
Would the Minister not agree that he finds it embarrassing to answer the question because of the policy forced on him by the Fianna Fáil Government with regard to old age pensions?
I have reiterated that if this is to be remedied we have to go back and change the system of assessment laid down in the 1952 Act which went through this House and which has withstood the test of different Governments.
That is wrong.
This is a system laid down in legislation enacted here whereby the means are assessed.
It was changed by the terms of the last Budget proposal.
No. The last Budget proposal was the first time that an allocation was made to that category on a nil means basis. This did not arise before. The means assessment has been there all the time.
Is the Minister aware of any single case in which a person living in a condemned house is assessed as having means?
I am not personally aware.
Would the Minister find out? Furthermore, is it his intention, having regard to what he said about the procedure which was handed down to him, to change the procedure, which is obnoxious?
I am examining it at the moment.