andMr. Donnellan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider increasing the means limit for applicants for old age non-contributory pensions in view of the recent increases in the cost of living.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensions.
45.
The main effect of increasing the means limit would be to admit relatively small numbers of new pensioners whose means at present debar them. It would not benefit existing pensioners. Non-contributory old age pensions, in common with other social welfare benefits, have been increased annually by amounts which have more than compensated for increases in the cost of living and consequential upward adjustments in the statutory means limit have also been made.