asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons as of 1st January 1964, 1966 and 1968 in receipt of (a) old age pensions (i) contributory and (ii) non contributory; (b) widows' and orphans' pensions (i) contributory and (ii) non contributory; (c) blind welfare allowances; and (d) disability benefit.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Recipients.
40.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to have it circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:—
NUMBERS of persons in receipt of pensions etc. at dates specified.
|
1st January, 1964 |
1st January, 1966 |
1st January, 1968 |
|
|
(a) Old Age Pensions— |
|||
|
(i) Contributory |
37,853 |
40,706 |
43,252 |
|
Adult Dependant Allowances |
14,339 |
15,431 |
16,379 |
|
(ii) Non-Contributory |
115,570 |
113,879 |
113,306 |
|
(b) Widows' and Orphans' Pensions |
|||
|
(i) Contributory |
37,705 |
41,935 |
46,822 |
|
(ii) Non-Contributory |
23,063 |
22,187 |
18,590 |
|
(c) Blind Welfare Allowances |
3,220 |
2,922 |
Not available |
|
7th January, 1964 |
4th January, 1966 |
1st January, 1968 |
|
|
(d) Disability Benefit |
51,393 |
53,594 |
57,909 |
On a point of order, I did not hear the reply to either Question No. 39 or Question No. 40.
Deputy L'Estrange and Deputy Sweetman were shouting.
Would the Minister repeat them for me?
I cannot shout louder than Deputy Sweetman and Deputy L'Estrange.
As a matter of courtesy, will the Minister give me the replies to Question Nos. 39 and 40?
(Interruptions.)
Would the Minister now give me the gist of the answers, both of which were incomprehensible?
In reply to Question No. 40, there is a tabular statement and in reply to Question No. 39, I said:
I am satisfied that the present method of payment of old age pensions and children's allowances at Post Offices is efficient and I do not contemplate introducing any changes in it.
Has the Minister not had regard to the statements made by several Members of this House, including members of his own Party, that the present system imposes unnecessary hardship on mothers of children and on old folk in having to queue at Dublin post offices for their pensions and allowances and would the Minister have regard to the actual pressures on people rather than to what they could do, to the pressures which oblige them on the first day the pension or allowance becomes available to go and collect it? Having regard to this will the Minister not now ensure that these are issued through the post?
The suggestion made by the Deputy would be impracticable. The present system is efficient and while I appreciate that weekly payments normally have to be collected on the appropriate day, that does not apply to monthly payments and a period of three months is available in each case within which orders can be cashed.
If the rent man is breathing down your neck, three months is no use.
It would not be practicable to do as the Deputy suggests.
Has the Minister adverted to the possibility of at least considering asking the joint stock banks to assist in this matter by handling these pension cheques inasmuch as they already assist the Department of Lands in acting as collectors of annuities? I recognise the problem of permitting these to be promiscuously cashed in shops but if there were added to the post offices branches of the joint stock banks, particularly in outlying areas, that would not involve a heavy burden on them and they might be glad to help.
Personal attendance by the beneficiary, except where an agent has been appointed, is considered important as a safeguard against fraud.
At least, consider that suggestion about the joint stock banks.