andMr. Tully asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been directed to the anomalies created by the decision to grant pensions to the widows of civil servants and local authority officials which has resulted in some cases in a reduction in their incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Widows' Pensions.
46.
The pensions of public officials and their widows and children have always been awarded without reference to the recipients' means. The effect of such awards on any other payments depends upon the conditions governing those payments and is a matter for the appropriate administering authority.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that in 1970 we should have reached the stage where an increase of pension granted to widows and orphans should not reduce their income, which has happened in a number of cases?
Section 15 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1961, prevents total income from public service pensions and non-contributory pensions being reduced by reason of an increase in public service pension. If the Deputy knows of any case where this has not applied he should draw it to the attention of the Minister.
The Parliamentary Secretary is aware that the new pension is not covered by this and in a number of cases it has been reduced.