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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Jan 1947

Vol. 104 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Provision of Clothing.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether, in view of the difficulties experienced by persons dependent on payments by home assistance authorities, on widows' and orphans' pensions, on national health insurance benefits and on unemployment insurance and unemployment assistance, in providing clothing for themselves, owing to the prevailing high prices, he will arrange for the introduction of a scheme to provide free or subsidised clothing, purchasable at a reduced rate on the instalment plan, for such persons, the rates of benefit now paid to be increased to enable advantage to be taken of the scheme by the beneficiaries.

It is not proposed to introduce a scheme of the kind suggested by the Deputy.

The Minister must be aware that the payments fixed before the war for those in receipt of small benefits from national health insurance, public assistance and widows' and orphans' benefit funds are now inadequate and that there is considerable hardship on account of the increased cost of food, fuel and clothing. Would he not do something about the clothing in that regard?

I would rather do the other things first.

What are the other things?

Food, and so on.

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