asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been called to the serious defect in the Social Welfare Act, 1952, inasmuch as a widow drawing a contributory pension of 24/- per week is compelled on attaining the age of 70 years to forgo this pension and to apply for the old age pension at 21/6 per week; and, if so, whether in view of the hardship imposed on these people by this reduction in income he will take immediate steps to rectify the position by the introduction of proposals for amending legislation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Act, 1952.
The Social Welfare Act provides that a widow's contributory pension shall not be payable after the widow attains the age of 70.
It also provides that a woman who is entitled to a widow's contributory pension immediately before the age of 70 shall be entitled to receive a maximum old age pension free of any testsas to means or qualifying period of residence. It also permits the payment of such old age pensions in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Isle of Man.
It is thus clear that, for old age pension purposes, a woman who has had a widow's contributory pension up to the age of 70 is put in a much better position than any other person over 70. All other applicants for old age pensions must satisfy a test as to means and qualifying period of residence and, if an old age pension is granted, cannot receive it while outside the State.
I do not propose to introduce legislation to alter the position.
Nevertheless, she loses 2/6 a week.
I would put it the other way: that she loses 24/- and gains 21/6.
That is a very subtle answer.