asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the reduction of £3 per week in the old age pension payable to a person (name supplied) in County Donegal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Old Age Pension.
17.
Re-investigation of the means of the person concerned in this case indicated an increase in means and the question of reducing the pension was accordingly referred to the local pension sub-committee for decision. Pending a decision by the sub-committee, a sum of £1 a week has been witheld from the reduced rate of pension to meet the overpayment involved which arose because the pensioner did not report to my Department, as required by regulations, an increase in the rate of her British retirement pension.
Is the Department of Social Welfare not aware of these periodic increases in social welfare allowances by the British Government?
One may be aware of a number of things but it is clearly stated in the regulations that the onus is on the recipient to inform the Department of any change in income.
When these cases are being investigated is the social welfare officer not aware of the existence of a British social welfare benefit? Is the amount of benefit paid by our Department based on that information and for this reason would it not be easier for the Department who are aware of periodic increases granted by the British Government to take account of them rather than penalise the recipients?
There is no question of penalising the recipients. The reinvestigation of the means took place because the Department were aware of an increase in pension. This reinvestigation also took place because of the neglect of the recipient to inform the Department. An overpayment took place and part of the reduction in pension is to repay that overpayment.
Were there other factors of increases in income other than the British increases.
As far as I am aware, that was the only factor.