Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 6

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

183 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason persons over the age of 66, such as a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12, receives £4 per week less than old age pensioners. [15264/01]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The person in question is in receipt of a maximum rate widow(er)'s contributory pension of £102 per week. The maximum rate of the old age contributory pension is £106 per week.

The qualifying conditions for widow(er)'s contributory pension are more flexible than those applying to the old age contributory and retirement pensions. Widowed people can qualify for payment using either their own or their late spouse's social insurance record. In addition, a person may use the full social insurance record or the record over the previous three or five years. The higher rate of payment of old age contributory and retirement pension traditionally recognised the more difficult qualifying conditions associated with those schemes.

In line with the Government's commitment to pensioners and as announced in budget 2001, I decided to increase the widow(er)'s contributory pension for recipients aged 66 years or over to the full old age contributory pension rate over two budgets. The special increase of £12.90 per week which took effect last month is the first step in this process.

Michael Ring

Question:

184 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason incorrect information was given to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo by his Department regarding her entitlement to a non-contributory widow's pension. [15265/01]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The person concerned applied for a widow's contributory pension on 27 February 2001. No decision has yet been made in this case as the deciding officer is awaiting the outcome of inquiries relating to her late spouse's self-employment contribution record. On completion of these inquiries, a decision will be made and she will be notified of the outcome.

Her entitlement to a widow's non-contributory pension was also examined. She was awarded this pension at the maximum weekly rate of £85.50 effective from 6 April 2001 plus a fuel allowance of £5 per week.

A payable order book was issued to Swinford post office on 10 May 2001 and the person concerned was advised of this. Due to circumstances outside the control of my Department, the order book was not delivered to the post office. Arrangements were then made to issue a replacement book to Swinford post office on 21 May 2001. This book should be available for collection on 23 May 2001. The Department regrets any inconvenience caused by this delay.