asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a married couple applying for a non-contributory old age pension whose means are assessed at nil will receive the same pension as a married couple whose cash assets are £4,000; and if he will take immediate steps to increase the pension payable to the couple whose means are assessed at nil.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pension Applicants.
2.
Each of a married couple whose combined weekly means do not exceed £8—£10 from Friday, 5th July, 1974—would be entitled to a maximum old age (non-contributory) pension. It is immaterial whether these means are derived from capital, a small farm, part-time employment, contributions from sons or daughters or any other source. This is in accordance with declared Government policy progressively to ease the means test.
This year's budget provided for substantial increases in the rates of old age (non-contributory) pension and, in addition, provision has been made for an increase of pension for the dependent wife or husband under pension age of a pensioner. Further changes in the rates of pension are not at present contemplated.
Is the Minister aware that the category of people I mentioned, a married couple applying for a non-contributory old age pension whose means are assessed at nil, are concerned that they will get a pension not greater than that given to a person whose means are assessed at, say, £9.90? Does the Parliamentary Secretary consider it fair that a married couple who have an income of £9.90 should get the same level of pension as those whose income is nil? Will he have discussions with the Department of Finance to increase the pension for the couple who have no income?
I do not think the Deputy would disagree that until the last two budgets a married couple, whether getting a contributory or a non-contributory pension, had far more reason for concern——
I am asking the Parliamentary Secretary a straight question.
Perhaps the Deputy would let me complete my reply. With regard to the latter part of his supplementary, it is the stated policy of the Government to increase pensions of all kinds, whether contributory or non-contributory, as speedily and as progressively as possible.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary state if the Department have any plans to end the discrimination against the unfortunate people who have no income? It is quite unfair that people with an income of £9.90 should get the same pension as those whose income is nil.
I find it difficult to see how any Member of the House would object to a pension being made available to a couple because they had an income not exceeding £8 per week between them. This would seem to be the implication of the Deputy's question and his supplementary questions.
We must pass to the next question.
I am talking about people whose income is nil. Owing to the unsatisfactory reply, I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.