asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is in receipt of a British pension will not qualify for a living alone allowance.
Written Answers. - Living Alone Allowance.
137.
A living alone allowance is an increase in a pension from the Department of Social Welfare payable to a person who is 66 years of age or over and living alone. It is not payable in respect of pensions from other countries.
If the British pension mentioned is the only source of income of the person concerned, it is possible that she would be entitled to a reduced-rate non-contributory old age pension and, in turn, to a living alone allowance as an increase on the latter pension. An application form is being sent to her and if she wishes her potential pension entitlement to be investigated she should complete this form and return it to the Department.
Similarly, if the person was insurably employed in Ireland since January 1953 it would be open to her to apply for a contributory old age pension or retirement pension — a form is also being sent to her for this. Qualification for either of these pensions would also enable consideration to be given to granting her a living alone allowance.