asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether, in view of the fact that in the case of previous increases in State pensions the first £50 of the increase was disregarded for purposes of assessment of means for social welfare allowances, he will take steps to ensure that a similar disregarding of the first £50 be applied to increases received under the 1963 pensions increase legislation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Allowances Means Test.
43.
I presume the Deputy refers to the provision in the Pension Increases Acts of 1956, 1959 and 1960 whereby increases in State pensions granted under those Acts were regarded as voluntary or gratuitous payments and as a result could be disregarded, up to a limit of £52 5s. a year, in the assessment of means for social assistance purposes. Except where specific statutory provision is made to the contrary all income in the form of a State pension must be treated in the same way as income from any other source for the purposes of the Social Welfare Acts.