asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether his Department has in recent months carried out any investigations or prepared any figures showing the minimum weekly income necessary for subsistence of an adult human being, in relation to the present cost of living and, if not, if he will cause such investigations to be undertaken at once as a possible basis for a readjustment of the weekly amounts paid out at present in social services, such as old age pensions, blind pensions and widows' and orphans' pensions, to enable the recipients of such pensions to obtain the necessities of life.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Service Payments.
The schemes of additional assistance for old age pensioners, blind pensioners and persons in receipt of widows' and orphans' pensions which took effect on the 1st April last were not preceded by any special investigation such as the Deputy refers to, nor is it deemed necessary to undertake such investigations at the present time. These schemes relate to persons resident in areas to which the food voucher scheme administered by the Department of Industry and Commerce does not extend. Under that scheme special food allowances have been provided for similar classes in urban areas. In these areas such persons also receive special consideration in connection with the scheme for the provision of fuel in non-turf areas, so that bearing in mind all the other burdens of the community, there can be no reasonable ground for dissatisfaction with the present position.
I have complaints from different parts of the country to the effect that old age, blind and widows' and orphans' pensioners are getting no vouchers and, even if they were, would the Parliamentary Secretary be satisfied if he were in receipt of only 12/6 per week?
I would not.
We are all human beings and we need something to keep body and soul together.
Cash allowances in the rural areas have been operative only since 1st April. In fact, they have not taken full effect as yet.
Some time ago——
The Deputy may ask a question, not make another speech.
With your permission, Sir, I want to ask a question. Before the last election, I saw advertisements in County Wexford stating that "there will be a collection for the Fianna Fáil Party next Sunday", and that "the Fianna Fáil Government is the plain people's Government". If this is the plain people's Government, I do not know what is going to happen.
That was not a question; it was another speech.
I wanted to expose the gentlemen who claim to be the plain people's Government.
This is neither the time nor the place.
The people have answered the Deputy's supplementary question.