asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reasons old age pension is not payable to small farmers from the date they reach the age of 66 years and sign over their holding, instead of the present system of making payment only from the date in which the deed of transfer is stamped; the statutory regulations governing this matter and if he has any proposals to amend the regulations.
Written Answers. - Small Farmers' Pensions.
330.
The Deputy is under a misapprehension about the date of payment of old age pension in the type of case mentioned in his question. A pension awarded on appeal following the stamping of a deed is paid from the date on which the deed was signed, and not from the date on which the deed of transfer was stamped, provided of course, the claimant was otherwise qualified on that date.
Appeals officers who are the final deciding authority in relation to claims to non-contributory pensions normally require, however, that a deed of transfer of land should be stamped before accepting it for the purpose of a claim.
In view of the delays which can occur between signing and stamping I am having the administrative procedures examined with a view to determining whether it is possible to expedite such payments.