asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of applicants for the extra 5/- made by (a) non-contributory old age pensioners and (b) widow pensioners, and the total number in each category which have been (i) allowed and (ii) rejected.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pension Increase.
87.
Approximately 11,000 inquiries re non-payment of the 5/- increase were received from old age pensioners and 800 from widow pensioners. Of the latter, the increase was granted in some 400 cases and about 300 were refused. The remainder have not yet been decided. In the old age pension cases, 1,500 were clearly not entitled to the increase and were so informed while 8,000 cases were sent for re-investigation by social welfare officers. These are at various stages of decision and separate statistics in respect of them have not been compiled. The remaining inquiries are in process of examination.