asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state why an old age pension of only 2/- a week has been granted to Mrs. B. McQuillan, Strand Road, Annagassan, Dunleer, County Louth.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Louth Old Age Pension.
Where a person claims and is eligible for an old age pension the rate of pension is determined by reference to the person's means. If he or she is one of a married couple living together in the same house the means are by law taken to be half the total means of the couple. In this case a pension of 2/- was determined on appeal as the appropriate rate, the claimant's means being reckoned at one half the means of her husband.
Mr. Walsh
My information is that this woman's husband is a casual labourer and that she is bed-ridden. I should like to know from the Parliamentary Secretary if that is the report received from the investigation officer regarding the means test. The husband is casually employed as a fisherman and work has not been profitable during the past few months. I think there should be a little further investigation into this case.
The means of the husband could be definitely estimated and the figure would prevent a pension above 2/- being granted, the means being divided by two. It is possible that since the investigation the circumstances of the applicant may have deteriorated, and if the question is raised it can be again investigated.
Mr. Walsh
The only daughter of these people has to remain at home to attend to her mother who has been bed-ridden for 21 years.
Did you not all vote for the means test?
Would it be correct to say that the means in this case were assessed on an income of 16/- per week?
The means were assessed at £35 being a moiety of £70 per annum of the husband's earnings.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that on the 2/- pension the wages were assessed at 16/- per week?