asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will agree to defer the order under which old age pension committees will be abolished, until the local Government reorganisation and review can consider the implications and/or alternative in the best interest of pensioners.
Written Answers. - Old Age Pension Committees.
598.
The Social Welfare Act, 1984, provided for the abolition of old age pension committees. The necessary administrative arrangements are being made at present and it is intended that the measure will be brought into effect at the beginning of July 1984. The committees have been informed accordingly.
The implications of the measure were fully considered in the context of the discussion on the Social Welfare Bill, 1984, and there are no plans to defer its implementation. It is envisaged that the measure will bring about a considerable improvement in services by speeding up the process of deciding on claims to old age pension and bringing the decision machinery for pensions into line with the rest of the social welfare code.