asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider a wife or husband as eligible for a prescribed relative allowance in certain circumstances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prescribed Relative Allowance.
134.
I presume that what the Deputy has in mind is the requirement for entitlement to this allowance that the prescribed relative shall not be a married person wholly or mainly maintained by his or her spouse.
The scheme of prescribed relative allowances was designed to meet the situation where a pensioner who would otherwise be living alone and who is in need of full time care and attention has to have a prescribed relative living with him or her for the purpose of providing such care and attention. It was not intended that the scheme should cover cases where the pensioner is living with a married son or daughter who could reasonably be expected to provide the necessary care and attention in the normal course.
Has the Parliamentary Secretary any intention of broadening the scheme so as to include the persons mentioned?
There are no proposals under consideration at the moment.