18 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will have arrangements made for the immediate re-assessment of means of persons in receipt of British pensions who have suffered a loss in income as a result of the present exchange rate difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

25 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will take into account expenses such as the conversion of sterling to Irish punts when assessing a claimant's means for old age non-contributory pension purposes when such applicants are in receipt of British pensions paid in sterling.

108 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the very substantial loss of income in respect of British retirement pensions paid to Irish citizens, he will now arrange for the immediate re-assessment of all non-contributory widows' pensions and non-contributory old age pensions, in respect of which British retirement pensions have been assessed as income.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 25 and 108 together. I understand that the Deputies are concerned about fluctuations in the Sterling/Punt exchange rate and the adverse effects which this might have on British pensions which are assessed as means for old age non-contributory and widow's non-contributory pension purposes.

In assessing an applicant's means, account must be taken of any income which he or she receives, including income from outside the State, for example a British pension. In calculating the means, any such income the applicant receives must first be converted to Irish Punts.