asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the increased cost of living, he will consider increasing the allowances given under the heading of unemployment assistance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Assistance.
Since September, 1941, food vouchers have been issued as a supplement to the unemployment assistance payable to applicants with dependents resident in cities or towns having local government and since April, 1943, applicants similarly resident who are single men or widowers, having attained the age of 40 years, or women are receiving food vouchers in their own right. The cash value of food vouchers varies with variations in the cost of the food commodities for which they are exchangeable and represents a substantial addition to the appropriate scheduled rates ot unemployment assistance. The provision in the current financial year of £518,500 to meet the cost of food vouchers includes a sum of £219,500 for food vouchers to be issued to eligible recipients of unemployment assistance.
In November, 1942, the rates of unemployment assistance payable to applicants with dependents resident in areas in which the Food Voucher Scheme is not in operation were increased. In addition, it is expected that in the current financial year a sum of £170,000 will be required to meet the cost of special food allowances which boards of assistance may grant irrespective of the area of residence to such necessitous persons as are approved by them over and above the amount of home assistance normally granted to such persons.
A further increase in the scheduled rates of unemployment assistance, whether by way of cash or food allowances, is not at present in contemplation, but the situation arising from the increase in the cost of living has been and will continue to be reviewed periodically by the Government.