Jim Mitchell
Question:154 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to a case (details supplied) whereby, because of the death of both parents, the grandparents have taken on the responsibility of rearing two grandchildren for which they are receiving an orphan's pension of £64 per week which in turn is being taken into account as part of their means for assessment for supplementary welfare, which is now being paid at a rate of £42.50 per week for the person and his wife which is a total of £55.50 per week less than the amount to which they would otherwise be entitled; if, having regard to this case, an orphan's allowance will be paid for the upkeep of orphans and should not be taken into account as means of the fostering or adoptive parents and that the normal supplementary welfare will be paid to the person concerned in respect of himself, his wife and his own two children.