asked the Minister for Social Welfare the steps he has taken to eliminate means test anomalies within the social welfare code.

27.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if any review is taking place regarding the means test within the social welfare system.

28.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider changing the present system of estimating income from capital to qualify for old age pensions; and if the applications will be brought into line with the system operating for widows' pensions.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Question Nos. 26, 27 and 28 together.

As I stated in reply to earlier questions on this matter, I have had an inquiry carried out in my Department into the operation of the means tests in the field of social welfare. The assessment of means of old age and widow pensioners is one of the matters which was dealt with in the inquiry. The report of the inquiry is under examination at present.

Will the report be discussed in the House?

It will.

Questions Nos. 29 to 32, inclusive, postponed.