andMr. Ryan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, having regard to the serious hardship being suffered by many widows by reason of the very stringent means test which disqualifies them from the whole or part of widows' non-contributory pension if in receipt of more than nominal wages, he will now take steps to permit such widows to earn a reasonable wage without prejudice to their pensions.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Widows' Pensions.
56.
Mrs. Joan Burke
The means test for non-contributory widows' pensions has been considerably eased in recent years and widows with children who are able to work already enjoy preferential treatment as compared with those who cannot work in that in assessing their means for pension purposes their earnings are abated by £39 for each child.
Legislation would be required to meet the Deputies' request and no such legislation is contemplated at present.