asked the Minister for Defence if he will abolish the means test applicable to Old IRA pensions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old IRA Pensions.
20.
The abolition of the means test for special allowances is not contemplated.
Is the Minister aware that when old age pensioners are granted increases, the allowances are then decreased, which means in actual fact that they do not benefit from an increase of old age pension?
I am not so aware, and, in fact, the Deputy is incorrect. Where a single person, a widow or widower is in receipt of an old age contributory pension of £8.50 a week, only 62½p a week is assessed as income. Where a married man is in receipt of an old age contributory pension of £14 per week, only £1.55 per week is assessed as income. Where a single person, a widow or widower is in receipt of a non-contributory old age pension of £7.30 per week, only 5p a week is assessed as income. Where one of a married couple is in receipt of an old age non-contributory pension of £10.95 per week, the pension is disregarded completely. Where a married couple are in receipt of a combined old age non-contributory pension of £14.60 per week, only 97½p per week is assessed.
Would the Minister not agree with me that it is the free maintenance clause that deprives many people of the special allowance?
I would not so agree. I have examined the matter since the Deputy raised it on the Estimate, and I am satisfied that the maintenance clause is applied in a most relaxed manner as far as the old person is concerned.
I am very disappointed in that reply.
Any further amendment would only help those who are rich and not help those who are poor.
No. It is the poor I am concerned about.