asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to a report regarding pensions officers enforcing the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1960, on non-contributory old age pensioners and seeking to recoup overpayments made since 1962; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Overpayments.
79.
I have seen the reports in question. They are obviously based on the fact that in a number of cases it was found that the pensioners had not reported increases in cash income but had continued to draw pension as if there had been no change in their means. Under section 16 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1960, the claimant in such cases is liable to refund the difference between the amount of pension he received and what he would have got if he had reported the increase in means at the due time. Each pensioner is notified of his liability to report any increase in cash income or property and the requirement is repeated on the cover of current pension books.
There are certain misleading statements in the articles. The overpayments were not due to mistakes made by the Department nor has there been any change in the official attitude.
Does the Minister not think this is a very severe hardship to ask old age pensioners in receipt of non-contributory pensions to repay the excess amount paid to them? Is this not an undue hardship on these people?
Nobody likes to pay back something he has already got. This involves the whole principle of means. Unless we completely disregard the means test, we must pursue this matter in the way we do. Only one person was mentioned in that particular report. I examined the case and I must say I had not a lot of sympathy. The person concerned had a reasonably good amount of pension from the county council. It was not dealt with in any way harshly whatever—except that he got every benefit within the statutory regulations.
I also brought forward the cases of two old age pensioners who will financially be crippled if they are forced to pay back. Many of the persons may suffer from senile decay, and so on, and would not understand all the terms of reference and regulations with regard to notifying officials of a change in circumstances and so on. Is the Minister aware of that fact?
Yes.
In extenuating circumstances, would the Minister not consider waiving this regulation or clause?
In any case where the fault is due to my negligence, I would be prepared to waive it. The Department has no option.
He is not——
We cannot have a debate on this question.
May I ask just one more supplementary question? What will happen when the old age pensioner is unable to repay the amount claimed by the Department?
We deduct it from the pension.
Therefore, it would appear that you would deprive them of a pension for a number of weeks.
Approximately 5/-or 10/- week.
That is a lot of money to an old age pensioner.
Next question.
Before leaving this question——
I have called the next question.
I should like permission to ask a supplementary question. I was giving way to Deputy Dr. O'Connell to ask his supplementary questions.
As was his right.
A Deputy
The next question was called.