David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for that very positive response. I think the Minister said the figure was set in 2005. Am I right in saying it is €20,000 at present? Has the Minister given any consideration to raising the amount and to informing people that saving up all their pension, living on bread and tea, is not doing anyone any good? People worry about nursing home payments, the funeral and everything else and they might pass on not having looked after themselves properly while they were alive. A considerable sum of money is left in the bank. The Minister's Department takes it back and rightly so. That is what the law says, but it can cause angst among relatives who might have been looking after the person and not getting any payment for it, in some cases, and so forth. Is any consideration being given to raising the amount people can have? Will the Minister consider informing people - I know they are informed when they sign on for the pension initially - on a more regular basis that if they are drawing this pension, they should not really go over the amount because it will have an impact? Older people very often might not realise that and may need to be told. I come across people who do not know.

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