asked the Minister for Finance to state the present basis of valuing the means of applicants for the old age pension, as applied to small landholders; also, whether complaints have been received from the local Old Age Pension Committees and sub-committees as to the valuation being too high; and what steps he proposes to take to have this method of valuation altered in the applicant's favour.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - PENSION APPLICANTS' MEANS.
For the purpose of determining the means of applicants for old age pensions, the income derived from small holdings is assessed on the estimated yearly value of the produce of the holding, with an appropriate deduction for the necessary working expenses. No complaints in the matter have been received by my Department from local Old Age Pension Committees or sub-committees, and as it is considered that the present method of assessment is fair, it is not proposed to make any change in it.
Do I understand the Minister to say that no complaints reached his Department from Old Age Pensions Committees? The experience of most of us is that every Old Age Pensions Committee complains.
I am a member of the sub-committee in Manorhamilton, and we made representations to the Minister and received no satisfactory reply.