Vol. 509 No. 6
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Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 2 Nov 1999
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Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.
473 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason for the reduction in a widows pension from £88.70 to £35.50 for a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21655/99]
The person concerned was in receipt of one-parent family payment at the rate of £88.70 a week up to 21 October 1999. This was the rate appropriate to a parent with one dependent child having regard to her means.
When her son, who is over 18 years of age, ceased full-time education she ceased to be eligible for one-parent family payment as she no longer has a qualified child.
Entitlement to widow/er's non-contributory pension, which is the appropriate means-tested payment for a widow with no qualified dependent children, was then examined and she was awarded a pension under this scheme at the rate of £35.50 a week from 22 October 1999. This is the rate of pension appropriate to her circumstances having regard to her means from farming.
If she is dissatisfied with the decision, it is open to her to seek a review of her means and her entitlement to pension.
474 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6W is entitled to an old age pension in her own right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21662/99]
To qualify for old age pension, a person must either have been insurably employed and satisfy the contribution conditions for old age contributory pension or, alternatively, qualify for an old age non-contributory pension which is subject to a means test. Other payments, such as widow(er)s pensions, continue to be payable after age 66 in lieu of old age pension where this is to the persons advantage.
The person concerned is receiving a widow's contributory pension at the maximum rate of £82.10 plus a living alone allowance of £6 per week. According to the information available to my Department, she was not insurably employed and would not qualify for an old age contributory pension. If, however, she wishes to have her entitlement formally assessed, she should complete the relevant application form and forward it to my Department.
As far as old age non-contributory pension is concerned, her current rate of widow's pension is higher than her maximum possible entitlement to old age non-contributory pension – viz £78.50 plus £6 living alone allowance.
