asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that since food vouchers were withdrawn and cash payments given in lieu of them to persons drawing national health insurance benefits, the cash given does not now, because of the increased prices of butter and tea, purchase the amount of goods formerly available under the voucher system; and if he will remedy the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Withdrawal of Food Vouchers.
I am not aware that the position is as represented. The total cost of the items of food (which did not include tea) to which recipients of food vouchers were entitled is less now than it was when the food vouchers were withdrawn. The approximate value of a food voucher was 2/6, and the vouchers were given to some 3,300 persons in receipt of disablement benefit. The cash supplements to national health insurance benefit are at the rate of 7/6 for a man and 6/- for a woman and are granted to some 23,000 persons in receipt of sickness or disablement benefit.
Is the Minister aware that, under the new system, old age pensioners are unable to get as much bread as they were getting before, and that very often they are not able to get any butter at all?
They get the same ration as everybody else—the same amount of bread and butter.
Previously they were able to get somewhat more, but at the present time they are unable to get as much bread as they got before. They are not able to get any butter. Will the Minister look into the matter and see what steps can be taken to remedy the difficulties that have arisen?
It is not a matter for me, of course.
Will anybody do it?
They are getting their ration, I presume.
But under the new system which has been introduced, and which is supposed to be as good as the last one, they are not able to get as much bread as they got before, and they are not able to get any butter.
Is the Minister aware that the Opposition always condemned the old system?
We are not old age pensioners yet.
Is the Minister aware of the difficulties that have arisen as a result of the change that has taken place, and will he look into the matter?
I do not see how we could justify old age pensioners getting more bread than any other person on his ration. The only difference is that he now gets cash to pay for the bread instead of the bread itself. The same applies to butter and milk.