Vol. 468 No. 2
154 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be granted a deserted wife's pension in view of the fact that she is destitute and unable to manage without this pension. [14754/96]
To determine if the circumstances leading to the separation in this case constitute desertion within the meaning of the relevant legislation, the person concerned and her husband have both been interviewed by an officer of the Department.
On the basis of the information obtained in this process and on the other evidence provided by the person concerned, the deciding officer was not satisfied that desertion had occured. Accordingly, it was decided on 19 June 1996 to disallow the claim of the person concerned for deserted wife's benefit. She has been informed of this decision and of her right of appeal to the independent social welfare appeals office.
The inquiries in this case indicate that the person concerned is receiving an occupational pension from her former employment where she paid modified rate PRSI contributions. These contributions are not reckonable for disability or unemployment benefit.
