Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
- Unmarried mother’s allowance rate and title 8 speeches
The allowance was awarded at a reduced rate based on assessed means, and the case is under review following changes to means calculations. Harte objected to the title “unmarried mother”; the Chair and Minister responded during the exchange.
Austin Deasy, Charles J. Haughey, Patrick D. Harte, Joseph Brennan
- Old age pension claim in Waterford 2 speeches
The claim was refused because the claimant did not meet the statutory means condition and had not fully disclosed his means; he may make a fresh claim with full disclosure.
Austin Deasy, Charles J. Haughey
- Political stickers on Posts and Telegraphs vans 11 speeches
Killilea alleged that Labour Party stickers appeared on Posts and Telegraphs vans and said he had evidence linking a van to a union president. The Chair stopped him from making a speech under the guise of an Adjournment matter and offered to communicate with him; remaining questions were deferred.
Mark Killilea Jnr., Joseph Brennan
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why unmarried mother's allowance is not being paid at the maximum rate to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
Comment on this
The person concerned was awarded a social assistance allowance as an unmarried mother at a reduced rate with effect from 6 January 1977 in accordance with her means as assessed. She appealed against the award but the decision was upheld by an appeals officer.
The case is being reviewed as a result of changes in the calculation of means under the Social Welfare Act, 1979. I will let the Deputy know the result in due course.
Comment on this
When does the Minister propose to delete this objectionable title "unmarried mother"? Surely it is time to introduce some imagination and use a title such as single parents?
Comment on this
The question on the Order Paper relates to an allowance which has an official title from the Minister for Social Welfare. If our imagination is so limited that we have to use the title unmarried mother——
Comment on this
Is it the Minister's intention to discontinue the use of the title unmarried mother? Deputy Murphy is not yet a Minister. He should be a polite backbencher and keep quite.
Comment on this
Deputy Murphy is probably aware that when Deputy Harte's party were in Government he was not a Minister either.
Comment on this
asked the Minister for Social Welfare why an old age pension has not been granted to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford.
Comment on this
An appeals officer determined on 20 January 1978 that the person concerned was not entitled to an old age pension on the ground that he did not fulfil the statutory condition as to means. The evidence before the appeals officer indicated that the claimant had failed to disclose his means fully. If the claimant is now in a position to make a full disclosure of his means it is open to him to make a fresh claim for a pension.
Comment on this
With your permission I would like to raise a matter of major importance on the Adjournment. Over the last four weeks in the town of Tuam and other towns throughout my constituency there has appeared on Posts and Telegraphs vans political party stickers of the Labour Party.
Comment on this
I tried to ask a question about this on one occasion and it was refused. I tried on a second occasion to raise another question on this matter in the House but it was refused.
Comment on this
It was explained to the Deputy why it was refused. Does the Deputy wish to raise something on the Adjournment?
Comment on this
I have evidence here in the form of a photograph which shows that the van was driven by the president of the Irish Post Office Engineering Union. It might enlighten the country as well as the House——
Comment on this
Order. Deputies should realise that the Chair will not tolerate any more of this abuse which is creeping in of using the pretence of raising matters on the Adjournment to get making speeches.
Comment on this
I used every means in may power to raise this matter and I was stopped. I want to raise the matter on the Adjournment so that I can explain not only to the House but to the whole country what is going on.
Comment on this
If the Deputy wishes to give notice that he wishes to raise something on the Adjournment he need only give a short notice and I will communicate with him during the day. It is not necessary to make a speech.