"To move for a Return showing (a) the numbers of persons in receipt of old age pensions in the Saorstát in the last five years and the aggregate amount of the pensions in each year, and showing for the last or any recent year (b) the numbers of pensioners paid at each weekly rate of pension and the numbers of those paid at the maximum rate who possessed private means valued at 10s. and smaller amounts weekly."
PUBLIC SAFETY (POWERS OF ARREST AND DETENTION) TEMPORARY BILL, 1923. - PRIVATE BUSINESS.
Motion by
Deputy TOMÁS MAC EOIN
If this is an unopposed motion we might take it now.
It is not exactly unopposed. Part of the information cannot be got without an enormous amount of trouble. I will just state the position. I cannot give him the number of persons in receipt of old age pensions in the Saorstát for the last five years, because the returns have only been kept separate for the last two years. I can give him returns for the whole of Ireland for a good period. Then I can give him the figures for the Saorstát in the year ending September 30th, 1922, and the year ending September 30th, 1923. I can give him the number of persons having the full pension, the number having 8s., the number 6s., the number 4s., the number 2s., and the number 1s.; but there is no record kept as to the amount of means of any person who has 10s. or less. The return that comes in simply means not exceeding £26 5s. a year, or there is nothing available. It would mean an examination in each case. If we were doing something like altering the schedule where an examination of each case would be required, it could be given, but for the purpose of private information it would mean that pension officers would have to visit each individual pensioner and make enquiries which would mean an enormous amount of trouble and would take many months.
My desire is for a return, in the light of information that is already available. I understood that such information as was intended to be asked for has been published in previous years, not perhaps in the Saorstát. But when asked for in the British House of Commons in past years, similar information was available. I think the information which the Minister has indicated as being available would quite satisfy my requirements.
I can give most of the information, except the number of persons having 10s. and under; they are all in one group as far as our figures are concerned. I could not separate them without a great deal of labour. The other information, so far as it is available, I can furnish to the Deputy.
If the motion is proceeded with, we would need to amend it.
It would be much easier if the Deputy would allow me to furnish all the information available, without the motion.
I am satisfied.
Motion not moved.
The return promised will be placed upon the Paper when available.