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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 7 Mar 1974

Vol. 270 No. 14

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Blind Pensioners Allowance.

6.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that a blind pensioner (name supplied) in County Wicklow is suffering a reduction of approximately £350 this year in allowances; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The person named in the question attained pensionable age, which is 69 years since July last, on 4th November, 1973, and has since been in receipt of an old age contributory pension at the rate of £13.70 weekly. The blind pension of £7.80 weekly which he had previously been receiving ceased to be payable as under the Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1960, a blind pension and an old age contributory pension are not payable simultaneously. Disability benefit which had been in payment also ceased as this benefit is not payable after attainment of pensionable age. I will have the matter examined.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that this person is expected to take a 30 per cent reduction in his income arising from a bad decision, or a hasty one, made by the Government?

It depends on which Government the Deputy is referring to.

There is only one Government in office at present.

The present circumstances——

On a point of information——

Let us not have an argument.

The Deputy asked me a question.

On a point of information——

Deputy Murphy should not interrupt Question Time in this fashion. He should allow Question Time to proceed. I shall have to rule the Deputy out of order, completely, if he perists. The Deputy should obey the Chair or leave the House.

On a point of information——

The information is forthcoming if Deputy Murphy will wait.

On a point of information——

Deputy Murphy, please do not upset Question Time in this fashion. Allow Question Time to proceed.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree——

I shall have to rule the Deputy out of order completely if he persists. Allow Question Time to continue.

A Cheann Comhairle——

Deputy Murphy, please obey the Chair or leave the House.

May I have the information I asked for?

The information is forthcoming if the Deputy will wait.

I wish to have information from you, actually. I believe it was the present Government that introduced this reduction in the qualifying age.

The Chair is not responsible for these matters at all. Please let us go ahead with Question Time.

May I have my reply?

To the Deputy's supplementary?

As I stated in the reply, under the Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1960, a blind pension and an old age contributory pension are not payable simultaneously. As I further indicated to the Deputy, I am aware of the hardship caused not alone in this case but, unfortunately, over many, many years to many people and I am having the matter examined.

Arising from the Parliamentary Secretary's reply——

I will allow the Deputy one further supplementary.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that this particular case arises from the decision of the Government to reduce the age from 70 to 65 years?

The Deputy is engaging in an argument. Question No. 7.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree it was a hasty decision on the part of the Government in view of the difficulties involved?

Not only was it not a hasty decision but it was one that was long overdue. Unfortunately, the party which the Deputy supports did not see fit to do it.

If the Deputy's party were back in office would the age be 70?

(Interruptions.)

Would the Deputy's party put the age back to 70? That is all we want to know.

(Interruptions.)
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