asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he can state when he proposes to increase old age pensions to 26/- per week.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensions.
The figure contemplated for retirement pensions in the White Paper containing Government proposals for social security, issued in October last, is 24/- per week with an addition of 12/- a week in respect of a dependent wife or husband. The preparation of legislation in regard to the White Paper proposals is the subject of active attention in my Department.
May I ask the Minister if, pending the completion of the preparation of legislation, he will introduce as a temporary measure provisions whereby the pensions of old age pensioners will be increased to enable them to meet the very high cost of living existing at present?
The Deputy will appreciate that old age pensioners are to-day receiving in old age pensions nearly £2,000,000 more than they received in February, 1948. I cannot, at this stage, hold out any hope of the introduction of further proposals to increase the pension rate—at all events, pending consideration by the House of the proposals to implement the White Paper.
Question No. 3.
Will the Ceann Comhairle not allow me to put another supplementary question?
Question No. 3.
I think I am entitled to put another supplementary question.
The Ceann Comhairle is the sole judge of the number of supplementary questions. Considering the questions and the answers given, I think I am dealing very fairly with the Deputy in passing on to the next one.
There are only 40 questions on the Order Paper for to-day.
There is no argument about it. I am the sole judge.
I think it is unfair.
I think I am the sole judge.