asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether it is proposed to restore the position whereby on reaching the qualifying age for old age non-contributory pension, a recipient of a widow's non-contributory pension was entitled to opt for whichever pension was more favourable to her.

A recipient of a widow's non-contributory pension never had the option of retaining that pension on reaching the qualifying age for old age pension. There is, however, a provision which enables a non-contributory old age pension to be paid instead of a widow's (contributory) pension where the non-contributory rate would be higher. This provision is still in existence.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary indicate whether the means test applied in the case of a widow who reaches the age for OAP is different from that which operated when she was awarded the widows' non-contributory pension?

The Deputy should know there is a much more liberal approach to widows' pensions than to OAP and that has always been the case.

Is the practical effect of this that widows frequently find themselves, on reaching qualifying age for OAP, in receipt of smaller pensions?

The Deputy's question indicates that there has been some change in the position. As I pointed out in my reply, the position now is the same in that respect though there has been, by virtue of substantial increases in the meant test, a substantial extra number of people in receipt of these pensions.

Since the Parliamentary Secretary does not find it possible to answer the question, I would ask him is it a fact that many widows reaching the qualifying OAP age find themselves receiving a reduced pension because they get the OAP under a statutory means test?

The Deputy is confusing contributory widows' pensions with non-contributory OAPs. There always has been a difference in the rates. The former right has been acquired during many years of stamping cards.

The question I put related to non-contributory widows' pensions and non-contributory OAPs. Is it a fact that many widows in receipt of non-contributory widows' pensions, on reaching the qualifying age for OAPs, find themselves receiving less?

This is the third time the question has been put.

I am finding it difficult to get an answer.

In order to answer the question put I will repeat the Deputy's question:

... whether it is proposed to restore the position whereby on reaching the qualifying age for old age non-contributory pension, a recipient of a widow's non-contributory pension was entitled to opt for whichever pension was more favourable to her.

As I pointed out, there is no question of restoring the position because it never existed.

The Parliamentary Secretary has repeated his reply to the question put down. Would he now give a reply to the supplementary question of whether it is a fact that many widows in receipt of non-contributory pensions, when they reach the qualifying age for OAPs——

This cannot go on. I have allowed much ventilation of the matter.

With due deference to the Chair, is a Deputy entitled to get an answer in this House and is he not entitled to expect assistance from the Chair if there is deliberate evasion and failure to answer parliamentary questions?

I have not tried to evade the question. I have told the Deputy there has been no change in the situation.

We have heard that on a few occasions.

The Deputy has heard it but he did not like it.

The Parliamentary Secretary's replies have been inadequate and inaccurate. I will not pursue that. I have asked him, perhaps, four times——

Five times.

——and he has failed to answer. Of course, his deliberate failure to do so indicates what the real position is.