Vol. 418 No. 7
333 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he has considered amending the basis of the means test for the non-contributory old age pension, in order that some deduction would be allowed in respect of rent paid by applicants.
There are no plans to amend the means test for non-contributory old age pension to take account of rent paid by applicants. Pensioners on low incomes would be eligible to apply for assistance with their rent through the supplementary welfare allowance scheme or, in certain cases, through the rent allowance schemes for tenants affected by the abolition of rent controls.
