asked the Minister for Social Welfare when a non-contributory old age pension will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Written Answers. - County Cork Old Age Pension.
150.
The social welfare officer who investigated the claim of the person concerned has appealed against the decision of the local pension committee to award pension, on the grounds that the claimant's means exceed the statutory limit. The appeals officer will give his decision when my Department have been informed that the deed of transfer of the claimant's holding has been stamped.
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.