Old-age pension rate in Galway
The pensioner had died; the Minister said her reduced rate reflected assessed means, and an appeal had retained that rate while awarding the pension from an earlier date.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will arrange for the payment of a non-contributory old age pension at the full rate to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Comment on this
As the Deputy is aware, the pensioner in this case died last month. The reduced rate of non-contributory old age pension which had been in payment to her was the rate appropriate to the level of means assessed. It included the relevant increases due to a pensioner over 80 years of age and living alone. The local pension committee awarded the rate of payment in December 1980.
A recent review of the claim by an appeals officer did not alter the rate awarded by the committee. The appeals officer did, however, decide to award the pension from an earlier date. The arrears which arise for payment will go to the personal representative of the deceased pensioner as soon as the necessary formalities have been completed.
30.