asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is prepared to take steps to alter the legislation which requires the recipient of a blind pension to relinquish it on qualifying for an old age pension.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Blind Pensions.
27.
I take it that the Deputy is referring to blind pensioners who qualify for an old age (contributory) pension on reaching the age of 70 years. Recipients of contributory pension are disqualified under section 20 of the Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1960, for receipt of non-contributory pension under the Old Age Pensions Acts and a blind pension is, in fact, a pension given under special provisions of these Acts at an earlier age than 70. If, however, the recipient could qualify for a higher pension under the non-contributory code, payment at the latter rate is made.
A blind pensioner who does not qualify for old age (contributory) pension continues to receive blind pension when he reaches the age of 70.