Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 May 1990

Vol. 399 No. 3

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Phil Hogan

Question:

39 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange a review of an old age non-contributory pension application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if he is satisfied that an increase should be granted in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

The person concerned is in receipt of an old age non-contributory pension since July 1988 and is currently in receipt of £34 a week. This is the rate of pension appropriate to a single person with weekly means of £22.00. Means were assessed on the basis of capital.

The person concerned contends that he has disposed of certain capital but a satisfactory explanation has not been provided as to how and why the capital was disposed of.

Under the terms of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1981, a person may not deprive himself of pay, income or property in order to qualify for old age pension or an increase in pension. If it appears that a person has deprived himself of income or property in order to qualify for an increase in pension, the yearly value of that means or property is still taken to be part of the means of that person for the purposes of determining entitlement to an increase in old age non-contributory pension.

A review of the means of the person concerned is under way at present by a social welfare officer. On completion of the necessary inquiries the case will be referred to a deciding officer for a revised pension award, if warranted. The person concerned will be notified of the outcome of the review of means.