(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Justice the reason an application for a living alone allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Cavan has been refused, as this applicant's only source of income is a Garda widows' pension.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Living Alone Allowance.
48.
The conditions governing the payment of this allowance were agreed under the Garda Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme and, in effect, amount to saying that the conditions for the payment of the allowance to widows under the Social Welfare Acts will automatically apply in the case of Garda widows. Those conditions do not permit the payment of the allowance in the case referred to by the Deputy since the person is not in fact living alone.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Am I right in thinking that it is held that this elderly widow is not living alone because she has living with her a disabled child who is on a disabled allowance for many years and that is the only other person in the house with her? Does the Minister not think that it is a disgrace that she should be deprived of a widow's pension solely because of this disabled child living with her who is recognised as such being paid a disabled allowance?
The person living with her is not a child.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I do not want to identify this person but she has a child of hers living with her.
In this situation certain facts or details have been sought of the person named and replies have not been forthcoming to date. Perhaps if the full information were available it would be possible to deal with this case.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I am glad to hear that the Minister has not closed his mind completely on this. Is the Minister not aware that a number of doctors' certificates were furnished and would he not agree that this disabled person, who is a child in the sense that the pensioner is the other person's mother, is in receipt of an allowance from the Department of Social Welfare for years and that the facts are pretty pathetic in this case? If I satisfy the Minister that that is so will he grant this lady a living alone allowance and in justice grant it retrospectively?
As I say, the information sought has not been provided to date. When it is every effort will be made to resolve the matter in the best possible way.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I am grateful to the Minister. I personally have conducted this correspondence and am satisfied that I have given all the information sought on more occasions than one.
I am certain that the Deputy is genuinely sincere in his efforts to assist in this regard. I can also say, from what knowledge I have of the situation, that it is a pathetic one to a certain degree.
Hear, hear.
As I have stated already, when the facts or details as sought are provided, then every effort will be made to try to reach a suitable solution.
A final supplementary, Deputy, please.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Will the Minister get somebody to write to me, in case communication has broken down, and tell me what further information he wants?
I will be glad to get in contact with the Deputy on the matter.
May I ask the Minister, on this question and indeed in any other case of a like nature, would it not be just that some feeling should be shown for the widow of a former member of the Garda Force? In the circumstances as outlined by Deputy Fitzpatrick would it not be in the interests of the Department of Justice to have someone call on the lady and get this information instead of putting the onus on her to send it to the Department?
The provisions for making such inquiries are established and in existence. In this situation I am happy that what is being done on behalf of the person involved is genuine and satisfactory. I have already stated that, if Deputy Fitzpatrick wishes to contact me outside the House about the matter, I shall be glad to give any assistance I can.
One final question. While I do not reject any good feelings that the Minister has towards this particular case, I am not prepared to accept that he should stick by the regulations. There are far too many people sticking by the regulations at the moment and leaving too many people in want and need.
The Deputy is now making a statement.
I am asking the Minister would he not change the regulations and direct that someone call personally on this lady. If her husband gave long service to the State, surely, at least out of respect to him and to the needs of his widow, someone should call on her, a superintendent or an inspector—not alone in this case but in every other case. Would normal charity not expect this?
In cases of hardship there are adequate agencies in the State to assist. I have given what I believe is a fair response to Deputy Fitzpatrick in this regard.
I am not talking about other agencies in the State. I am talking about the responsibility of the Department of Justice to the widow of a former member of the Garda Síochána.
I am calling Question No. 49.
Does the Minister think there is a loyalty to the widow of a former member or does he not?
The Minister will answer Question No. 49, please.
If the Minister has not loyalty, it is a sad state of affairs.
Would Deputy Harte please allow Question Time to continue?