asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans she has, if any, for the inclusion of insurance stamps paid prior to 1953 for establishing eligibility for contributory old age pensions.
128.
Written Answers. - Old Age Pensions.
13.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the report from the Ombudsman stating that he considered the Government were acting against the senior citizens who have so far not been able to claim their pensions, in a reference to the average social welfare stamp system by which her Department operates he stated that there is an inherent inequity in any system which treats those who have paid fewer contributions more favourably than those who have paid more, she will make a statement as to whether this inequity will be rectified.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 13 and 128 together.
In order to qualify for old age contributory pension a person must
(a) have entered insurance before a prescribed age
(b) have at least 156 paid contributions and
(c) have a yearly average of at least 20 contributions since 5 January 1953 or his entry into insurance, if later.
There are no plans to include insurance contributions paid prior to 1953, which was the date when the present unified scheme of social insurance came into effect, in calculating the yearly average of contributions.
The issue raised by the Ombudsman in regard to the average test was that calculating the average from 1953 resulted in certain persons with gaps in their record between 1953 and 1974, when the remuneration limit for social insurance was abolished, not qualifying for pension.
The Commission on Social Welfare has been examining specifically the issue raised by the Ombudsman in the context of its review of the contribution conditions for pensions generally. The position will be reviewed in the light of the Commission's recommendations.