asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in payment of two weeks' pension to a person (details supplied) in County Laois in respect of her late husband.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
144.
The pension in question was payable by the Office of the Paymaster-General on behalf of the Department of Education.
Before that office can pay accrued pension following the death of a pensioner, they must be satisfied that the payee is the person to whom amounts due to the estate of the late pensioner are properly payable. Where the amount is small and probate of a will of the deceased or letters of administration are not available, payment can be made on foot of a statutory declaration.
This pensioner died on 15 February 1989. Probate of a will or letters of administration were not available. An appropriate statutory declaration was submitted to the Office of the Paymaster-General on 14 April 1989 and payment of the amount due was made on 2 May 1989.