John Ellis
Question:134 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is his policy to request passports of family members of applicants for old age pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Qualifying Conditions for Social Welfare Benefits.
In all schemes operated by the Department of Social Welfare, there are qualifying conditions which determine entitlement. In determining the validity of claims, the Department seek documentary or other supporting evidence to substantiate the claim.
Entitlement to many of the social welfare schemes could be affected by the circumstances and/or relationship of any person who resides with the applicant(s). In such cases, the social welfare officer must establish certain facts relating to other residents in the household where they are considered relevant so that a decision can be taken on whether the applicant satisfies the qualifying conditions.
In cases where the identity of a person is to be determined or where periods of residency need to be established, the provision of any documentary evidence, including a passport, which would be helpful in establishing the facts would be sought by the investigating officer.
Any information concerning an individual or an individual's circumstances that is given to any officer of the Department in the course of an investigation of entitlement is confidential and is treated as such.
John Ellis
Question:135 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is his policy to assess people with income from property which they no longer own or derive benefit from when assessing their income for non-contributory purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Where a person deprives himself of income and-or property so as to qualify for non-contributory pension, such income or property is, under the legislation, assessable as means.
There is an exception to this rule in the case where a farm is transferred to a child or children of the assignor and where the farm has a rateable valuation of less than £30. In the case of agricultural land with rateable valuation greater than £30, where the non-contributory pension applicant has been in ownership or occupation of the land in the three year period prior to the claim, the income from the land or the property itself is assessable as means.