asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the old age pensions means test was last revised; and if it is intended to have a further review to bring the figures into line with 1979 values.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensions Means Test.
19.
The qualifying limits under the means test for receipt of non-contributory old age pension were last revised with effect from 1 April 1977. As I stated in reply to earlier questions I have had an inquiry carried out in my Department into the operation of the means tests in the field of social welfare and the means test for the non-contributory old age pension was one of the matters dealt with in the inquiry. The report of the inquiry is being examined in my Department.
Would the Minister accept that there is a need for a substantial adjustment in the figures for the means test to bring people into the qualifying limit who would have qualified in 1977 and who do not now qualify?
The upper means limit for entitlement to non-contributory old age pensions was extended to £15 on 1 April 1977. A number of the anomalies in the means test are under active consideration at the moment.
Could I remind the Minister of the inflation which occurred in 1977? In the light of the inflationary adjustment that should be made, would he not accept that a substantial increase in the permitted means is necessary at this stage?
At this stage the only thing I can say to the Deputy is that the matter is under active consideration.
Would the Minister give an indication as to when there might be a decision on this matter?
I will leave that to the Deputy's own judgment.
Within the next week?
Does the Minister accept that, in the meantime, many people who would have qualified in 1977 now do not qualify with the same amount of money expressed in greater terms because of the inflationary factor, and that the figure is growing daily? In those circumstances, would the Minister accept that this matter should be reviewed urgently?
To put the numbers in perspective, there are 133,821 pensioners in receipt of non-contributory old age pensions and, of that number, 116,820 are in receipt of the maximum rate. That is not too bad. The vast majority of them are in receipt of the maximum rate, 87 per cent.
Of the other 13 per cent, that is a big number.