asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a widow who keeps boarders is thereby disqualified for a widow's pension; and if he will redress this situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widows' Pensions.
26.
Title to a widow's contributory pension is not affected by income, irrespective of its source. The keeping of boarders does not, of itself, disqualify a widow from receiving a widow's non-contributory pension. All non-contributory pensions are, however, subject to a means test and the net profit derived from keeping boarders, due allowance being made for all the expenses involved, is assessed as means. The profit thus assessed may affect the rate of pension payable. I should mention that in the case of such a widow with dependent children, her yearly means are reduced by £78 per annum in respect of each dependent child. Amendment of the existing provisions, which would require legislation, is not at present contemplated.
27.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange to have the widows' pension paid on receipt of the husband's death certificate.
Under existing legislation qualification for a widow's pension, whether contributory or non-contributory, requires the satisfaction of a number of conditions in addition to proof of widowhood. Any alteration in the relevant legislative provisions is not at present contemplated.
28.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will grant free travel facilities to persons in receipt of widow's pensions.
The free travel scheme administered by my Department was devised primarily as a facility for old persons, over 70 years of age. Widow pensioners over 70 are already eligible under the scheme. Extension of the scheme to widows under 70 is not contemplated.
29.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why a widow who is in receipt of a widows' pension of £4.50 may receive only £2.50 old age pension on reaching 70 years of age.
There could be several reasons, and, without knowing the circumstances it is not possible to say what the particular reason might be in the case which the Deputy has no doubt in mind. Apart from the possibility of increased means the method of assessing means for old age pension purposes differs in some respects from that for widows' non-contributory pension. In this connection, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a question on 24th November, 1971, at column 245, Volume 257, No. 2 of the Dáil Official Report.