Vol. 479 No. 2
267 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will issue a specific social welfare card to old age pensioners who have their benefits paid directly into a bank account and who therefore have no social welfare book, which could be used in situations where it must be proved that the person involved is a senior citizen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12809/97]
My Department issues cards at present to certain persons in receipt of unemployment and disability payments and lone parent allowances. The card is used to facilitate payment of benefits. It is not an identity card, does not contain evidence of age and would not, in its present form, be suitable for the purpose referred to by the Deputy.
However, an old age pensioner is issued with a free travel pass which should normally suffice to prove that the person concerned is a senior citizen. If any further verification of his or her status as a pensioner is required my Department will provide such verification on request. In the context of future developments in card technology the question of the provision, on an automated basis, of the type of information referred to will be examined.
