asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state what the additional cost would be to abolish the old age pensions means test and increase old age pensions to 25/- weekly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pension Increase.
If the suggestions in the question were in operation in the current financial year, it is estimated that the additional cost would be £6,895,000.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware that old age pensioners have been expecting the abolition of the means test together with an increase in the pension to 25/- weekly; and whether he is prepared to introduce proposals for legislation to give effect to these expectations.
As the Deputy is aware, a motion was introduced in this House in 1947 which sought a modification of the Means Test affecting old age pensions, etc., but was defeated in circumstances with which the Deputy is doubtless familiar—he having voted against the motion. Since then—by means of the Social Welfare Act, 1948 —there has been a modification of the means test for old age, blind, and widows' and orphans' (non-contributory) pensions, and these pensions have also been increased. During the coming year (1950-51) it is estimated that the average number of old age pensions payable weekly will be 162,000 as compared with an average of 147,500 in 1947.
Apart from the foregoing improvements provided for in the Social Welfare Act, 1948, at a cost of approximately £2,500,000 per annum, I would refer the Deputy to the Government's proposals for further improvements as set out in the White Paper on Social Security which has recently been issued. Under these proposals, retirement pensions will be provided at 65 years of age for men and at 60 years of age for women who will be included in the proposed scheme, and no means test will be imposed in respect of such retirement pension or any other benefits provided under the scheme.
Is it not a fact that the Minister voted for the motion to which he has referred in his reply and, secondly, is it not a fact that the Leader of the Fine Gael Party has given a clear indication to the country that they are not disposed to accept the proposals in the Social Security White Paper?
The outstanding fact in connection with this whole matter is that more has been done for old age pensioners in the last two years than was done since the first Old Age Pensions Act was introduced in 1908.
A Deputy
Nonsense.
It is that fact that has the Deputy opposite and that will keep him there.
Question No.4.
I have not had an answer to my supplementary question.
Question No. 4.
The Tánaiste is afraid to answer.
Raise it on the Adjournment.
I will send the Deputy a copy of my Árd-Fheis speech.