asked the Minister for Social Welfare why the old age pensions payable to Mrs. and Mrs. James Bourke, 42, St. Joseph's Park, Nenagh, have been reduced to £1 a week.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nenagh Old Age Pensions.
The old age pensions payable to Mr. and Mrs. Bourke were reduced from 25/- a week to 20/- a week by a decision of the local pension committee given on the 2nd instant, following on an increase in the means of the couple.
Is the Minister aware that Bourke received an increase of 5/- per week in his British Army pension? As a result of that increase of 5/- per week, the Department of Social Welfare reduced his old age pension by 5/- per week and also reduced by 5/- per week the blind pension payable to his wife. Is the Minister satisfied that that type of reduction should occur where the British Government, or any other foreign Government, increases a pensions by 5/-? Is the Minister satisfied that this State should save 10/- at the expense of poor people?
The information at our disposal is that his British Army pension was increased from £67 12s. per annum to £118 16s. per annum.
This man's British Army pension was increased from £1 18s. to £2 3s., an increase of 5/-. He was reduced by 5/- in his pension here and his wife, who was drawing a blind pension, lost another 5/-.
That is not the information we have.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary think it fair in cases where people are drawing pensions from, say, the British Government, or any other foreign source, to add that to their means here?
That is an entirely different matter.
It has a bearing on this.
It is an entirely different matter. The Deputy has asked a factual question about a certain person.
We have to enforce the Acts.
The Acts are very unfair in that regard.
If this is an increase of 5/-, as stated by Deputy Tierney, does the Parliamentary Secretary approve——
That is an entirely different matter. It does not arise on this question.
That is not for me to answer.
It is an entirely different matter.
One can have one's opinion, but one must see the difficulties too.
Would it not be for you to remedy?
It does not arise on this question.
You could all take a hand in it.
How?
You had your chance.
The increase did not come until now.
It has been here for 50 years.
What has been here for 50 years?
This means test.
The means test has been there all the time, of necessity.