asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a person in Dublin (name supplied) has not received the old age pension for a number of weeks past.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pension Payment.
30.
The pension book was recalled for adjustment of the rate following an increase in means and a book at reduced rate has been issued.
Can the Minister say why this lady is receiving an old age pension allowance of only £1.15 per week?
According to the means test, this is all that is warranted in her case.
She has no other source of income.
That is not my information.
The information is that this woman has no other source of income. Can the Minister say up to what date she was receiving the old age pension?
That is a separate question.
The information available to me is that she is getting what is warranted as a result of the means test and that there is a reduction being made for overpayment during the period in which she failed to report a change in her means.
The Comptroller and Auditor General has recommended that any moneys paid out in error by the Department should not subsequently be reclaimed especially in relation to social welfare payments. Is the Minister changing this concept?
No. In this case the person failed to report to the Department a change in her circumstances. There was an obligation on her to have done so. There was no error on our part.
When will the debt be paid off?
That is a separate question.
In a situation where there is an elderly person, does the Minister think that person is always fully aware of the rules and regulations? He seems to be implying that there is a deliberate attempt on her part to conceal the fact that she had income. Such elderly people are not aware of the regulations and, in those circumstances, would he not re-investigate the case?
This happens every day.
Yes, these people are frightened every day of the bureaucratic and inhuman approach of the Minister's Department.
It is very easy to make these statements here. These things must be governed by regulations. The instructions are actually written on the pension book and, as far as I know, they are written in red letters, and the obligation is on the person concerned. As long as there is a means test we are obliged to carry it out.
How much is she repaying every week?
I am not sure what the amount is. She would not be entitled to any pension now if the full amounts were deducted. I think she is paying £1 a week.
May I put it to the Minister that it is most unfair to expect old people to comprehend all these regulations and that it is inhuman on the part of his Department to crucify old people in relation to income change?