Sir, - I know a frail widow, living alone, whose non-contributory widow's pension amounts to £67.50 a week. She has no other means of support and she had no money put aside as she and her late husband never had enough to spare. From the last week in October 1997 to April 10th, 1998 she got £5 a week extra for fuel, bringing her weekly income to the princely sum of £72.50. The State, however, stopped her fuel allowance on Good Friday last (having given her about £115 to keep herself warm for the year). She is now back on £67.50 again and is eagerly looking forward to an increase of £3 a week in July which will make her a "rich" widow with a £70.50 weekly income.
This lady, who is unable to work, is expected to live for a whole week on what is given by the State to a travelling TD to pay his overnight bed and breakfast expenses in Dublin.
In God's name, is this just? Has this good lady in her early sixties, after a life of very hard but financially unrewarding work, any right to one little luxury each week?
I am writing to your paper in the fervent hope that a member of Dail Eireann who has some scintilla of care and compassion might see this letter and be honest and courageous enough to raise this question at Oireachtas level. The treatment of this widow (and how many more?) is - putting it very mildly - bordering on the immoral. Is there anybody, male or female, with an ounce of caring or compassion up there in Dail Eireann? - Yours, etc.,
Fr Pat Griffin PP,
Waterville, Co Kerry.