Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Feb 1986

Vol. 364 No. 2

Written Answers. - Non-Contributory Old Age Pensions.

20.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will amend the regulations so that non-contributory old age pensioners will not be disallowed their pensions because they transferred their farms for pension purposes; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

The legislation governing non-contributory old age pensions and other social assistance payments provides that where an applicant deprives himself of any income or property for the purpose of qualifying for payment, the income or property so disposed of must be taken into account in assessing the applicant's means.

In determining pension entitlement in cases where farms are transferred, the deciding officer must satisfy himself, on the merits of each case, whether the transfer was effected for pension purposes. As a general rule, however, payment of pension would not be refused in the case of a farmer who wishes to retire from farming because of advancing years or ill health and who transfers his holding to a son or daughter residing on and working his holding.

In the context of these schemes, the particular provisions are reasonable and are, so far as I am aware, operating satisfactorily.

Top
Share