asked the Minister for Finance if he will state if the request for an increase in the payment of old age pension and the modification or removal of the means test has been considered recently by his Department; and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensions.
andMr. T. O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance if he will state if he proposes to increase old age pensions at an early date; and if he has this matter under consideration.
I propose to take the questions of Deputies Byrne, Flanagan and O'Reilly together.
In view of the large additional expenditure involved and of the Exchequer's existing and prospective commitments, I can hold out no hope of increasing old age pensions or of modifying the means test attaching to the grant of such pensions.
Has the Minister given any consideration at all to the case of the provident man or woman who, by means of small weekly contributions, extending in many cases over a period of 40 years, secures a superannuation allowance of, say, 15/- or 16/- a week, and who is deprived of the State pension of 10/- a week? A person who insures himself for, say, superannuation allowance at the rate of 15/- is allowed the sum of 1/- per week by the State. I should like the Minister to take that matter into consideration when the Budget is being introduced. I want to ask him now has he given any consideration to that aspect of the Old Age Pensions Act?
That is a matter for the law.
The Minister is responsible to the House as Finance Minister and I am asking him has he given any consideration to that aspect of the Old Age Pensions Act.
All aspects of the situation were considered.
Will the Minister consider that aspect of the Act?
It has been considered.
In relation to the provident citizen?
Yes.
Since the Minister can see no hope of increasing the old age pension, would he consider allowing the present rate of old age pension at the age of 65?
That is a separate question, surely.
It is covered by the reply.