asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons for the inordinate delay in granting a non-contributory pension to an applicant (details supplied) in County Tipperary, in view of the fact that this person's only source of income was disposed of over 12 months ago and his property transferred to his daughter.
Written Answers. - County Tipperary Pension Application
181.
A non-contributory old age pension was not granted to the person concerned because an appeals officer decided on 14 November 1977 that the claimant's means exceeded the statutory limit. A deed of transfer of the applicant's property to his daughter was before the appeals officer when he arrived at his decision but the transfer was not accepted by him in the assessment of means for pension purposes.
The appeals officer reviewed the case in April 1978 following representations from the Deputy. He was not satisfied, however, following his further consideration of the case that a revision of his decision was warranted.
A new claim has recently been made by the claimant and has been referred to a social welfare officer for investigation.