asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the additional cost in the year 1970 of paying old age contributory pensioners an increase of £1 per week.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensions.
11.
The estimated cost in the year 1970 of paying an additional £1 per week to old age contributory pensioners would be almost £2½ million.
12.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare when applications were made by persons (names supplied) for non-contributory old age pensions; and what action is being taken in the matter.
The investigation by my Department of these claims, received on 12th May, 1970, was completed on 4th June, 1970. The claims were forwarded for decision on 4th June, 1970, to the local pension sub-committee which has been asked to expedite the matter.
Would the Minister not agree that holding up claims for recommendation from old age pension sub-committees is ridiculous? Those sub-committees have no function at all because if they give a recommendation which is contrary to what the local officer wants he will appeal against it. This has been recurring over the years. Would the Minister not seriously consider doing what his predecessor suggested he was going to do, abolish those sub-committees completely or give them some power?
That has been suggested to me several times. I always found them a useful catalyst between the officials and the applicants.
As a member of a sub-committee I can tell the Minister how absolutely useless they are. If they bring in a recommendation which the local officer does not like he can appeal against it and that is an end of the matter. Those old people have been waiting for months for their pensions.
The Deputy could do useful work if he would get in touch with the chairman of the local sub-committee.
There is no chairman.
He is appointed on an ad hoc basis.