Vol. 410 No. 7
87 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason in considering the income level at which a partial old age non-contributory pension will be withdrawn no account is taken of the person's entitlement to a living alone allowance.
At present, an applicant for old age non-contributory pension with assessed means of up to £6 per week can qualify for a full pension of £53 per week, £55 from later this month. Where the applicant has means in excess of £6 per week a reduced old age pension is payable depending on the amount of his means. The reduction in the basic rate of pension is £2 for each additional £2 of means.
A living alone allowance is payable in addition to the basic rate of pension if the pensioner is living alone. This is a separate allowance which does not form part of the basic pension. It is payable to all persons aged 66 or over qualifying for a social welfare pension who are living alone and is not subject to a means test. It is therefore not taken into account when determining the amount of basic pension payable in any case.
