asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason for the delay in transferring a person in Dublin (name supplied) from the widow's pension to the non-contributory old age pension.

The delay which occurred in this case was primarily attributable to the pressure of work involved in processing approximately 10,000 additional new claims for old age pension received on the reduction of the old age pension age to 66 as from 1st October, 1977. I regret the delay which occurred but am glad to be able to inform the Deputy that the old age pension book, which is payable as from 7th October, 1977, was issued to the person concerned on 20th October, 1977.