asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons in receipt of blind pensions and the number refused such pensions on means grounds during the past three years.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Blind Pensions.
26.
The numbers are 6,000, approximately, and 28, respectively.
In view of the fact that, on average, only seven or eight people each year during the past three years have been refused blind pensions as a result of means tests and since the total number in receipt of such pensions is 6,000, surely without any great financial difficulty and without establishing any major precedent, the Minister could arrange to have the means test discontinued for this pension?
I would consider relaxing it but the Deputy will appreciate that some of the persons concerned may be employed.