asked the Minister for Social Welfare if in view of the fall in the value of money he will take steps to increase the maximum amount which a person in receipt of a non-contributory widows' pension is permitted to earn weekly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Earnings of Recipients of Non-Contributory Widows' Pensions.
7.
Mr. Ryan
Modification of the means test in the manner suggested by the Deputy would not confer any benefit on the most necessitous classes of pensioners, that is, those who have no means at all or very little means.
The increases in the rates of non-contributory pensions since the present means scale was introduced have been greater than the increase in the Consumer Price Index over the same period.
8.
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the weekly non-contributory pension payable to (a) a widow, (b) a widow and one child, (c) a widow and two children, (d) a widow and three children and (e) a widow and four children; and the maximum amount which such a pensioner is permitted to earn weekly without suffering a reduction in her pension.
The maximum weekly non-contributory pension payable to a widow is 26/-; to a widow with one child is 34/- and to a widow with two or more children is 41/-.
These rates are reduced if the means of the widow exceed £52 10s. per annum. Earnings constitute means for this purpose.
In instances in which his own Department gives an increase to a member of a family because of the increase in the cost of living, and so on, does the Minister not consider it unjust to deprive the pensioner of the pension because a few shillings increase has been given to another member of the family? When that increase is legitimately given for the specific purpose of easing the situation in the household, does the Minister not think it very unjust to withdraw the pension?
This is an argument, not a question.