Foreign pensions in the means test
The Minister opposed disregarding British or other foreign pensions when assessing non-contributory pension claims, citing legislation, cost and limited resources.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will ignore British and other foreign pensions payable to husbands and wives of spouses who apply for non-contributory pensions to his Department.
Comment on this
Non-contributory pensions are subject to a means test and existing legislation requires that account be taken of pensions of the type mentioned by the Deputy when assessing means.
Ignoring income on the lines suggested by the Deputy would involve the Exchequer in substantial additional expenditure in paying non-contributory pensions to persons who already had means. I would not favour such an approach having regard to present financial constraints and the need to conserve scarce resources.