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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Jun 1967

Vol. 229 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit Entitlement.

28.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if for the purpose of allowing the supplementary 5/-awarded in the Budget of 1966 to certain social welfare pensioners, including old age pensioners and widows and orphans, he will disregard the right of residence as a reason for exclusion for the purpose of entitlement to this increase.

While I have no power to disregard any item of means, not excluded by statute, I have had an instruction issued to social welfare officers which should eliminate to a considerable degree the dissatisfaction arising from the assessment in some instances of means from residence with relatives and from the use of what I might describe as substandard dwellings.

Means must be assessed, however, in the cases of persons who have legally reserved for themselves a right to free residence.

Would the Minister say if this means that the applicants who were refused the 5/- because of this clause will now be reconsidered, or must they make fresh application?

If they feel they would improve their situation by applying, they should apply.

Does the Minister mean by that that they must apply again, even though they were told that this clause debarred them from getting the 5/-?

It would be difficult just to pick out the few who were marginal cases and were refused and who might benefit now.

Does the Minister not agree that out of 111,000 old age pensioners only 10,000 got the 5/- and does he not agree that there are at least 40,000 or 50,000 debarred?

It is more than 10,000 now.

Does the Minister say that if an applicant relinquishes now the right of free residence, he will then be entitled to the 5/-?

Yes. Other things being equal, yes.

Some are more equal than others, though.

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