asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is his intention to extend the range of services of his Department and if he will make immediate provisions for a more liberal assessment of means in respect of people in receipt of the maximum old age, blind, or non-contributory widows' and orphans' pensions.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Extension of Local Welfare Services.
88.
The range of the services for which my Department is responsible, so far as concerns contingencies provided for, is up to general international standards. If, however, the Deputy has in mind an extension of the services by bringing in additional classes or improving benefit rates, he can rest assured that the existing policy of expansion and improvement in those directions will be maintained.
With regard to the second part of the Question, the position is that people in receipt of the maximum non-contributory old age, blind or widows' and orphans' pension have no means assessed against them. Amending legislation would be necessary to enable maximum pension to be paid to any other class or to alter the Schedule in which the items which constitute means are specified. The various Acts which control these pensions are kept under review and amendments which appear desirable are made from time to time according as money becomes available for the purpose.