asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a returned emigrant in County Donegal (details supplied) has been refused the old age pension.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payments.
69.
An appeals officer has determined that the person concerned is not entitled to an old age, noncontributory, pension on the ground that his means, which consist of a British retirement pension and income from a small holding, exceed the statutory limit for entitlement to pension.
70.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if maternity benefit will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Meath who was employed for portion of the year July, 1974, to July, 1975, with one employer and for the remainder of the year with the Department of Posts and Telegraphs as a telephonist.
The person referred to by the Deputy claimed maternity allowance from 7th June, 1976. One of the contribution conditions to be satisfied is that not less than 26 employment contributions have been paid or credited in respect of the claimant in the governing contribution year from 1st July, 1974, to 6th July 1975. In that year the claimant has only 23 contributions paid and credited and accordingly is not entitled to benefit on her claim. Contributions paid in respect of her employment by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs from 1st July, 1974, to 24th January, 1975, were for the purposes of widows' pension and occupational injury only and are not reckonable for the purposes of other benefits under the Social Welfare Acts.