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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Feb 1951

Vol. 124 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pensions and Allowances.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will indicate whether, in view of the substantial increase in the cost of living and the consequent hardship suffered by recipients of old age pensions, blind pensions, widows' and orphans' pensions and unemployment assistance, he will take immediate steps to increase their pensions and allowances, which are entirely inadequate to enable them to exist under present conditions.

The rates of old age pensions, blind pensions and non-contributory widows' and orphans' pensions were increased by the Social Welfare Act, 1948. The Social Welfare (Insurance) (No. 2) Bill, 1950, includes provision for improved pensions payable on retirement at an earlier age than the present age for old age pensions and also for improved widows' and orphans' pensions, both on a contributory basis. All the assistance schemes are being further considered.

Is the Minister not aware that no provision is made for people who are not insured under the Bill and that it is only for insured workers that any provision is made? Does the Minister not realise that it is impossible for people to live, with the present high cost of living, on 17/6 a week? I have asked the Minister if he intends to introduce legislation or to increase the present pensions to those people, especially those who are not being provided for under the Bill.

The Deputy is making a speech.

Is the Minister not aware that the people I have in mind have suffered considerable hardship during the past winter—indeed, many have died—because they have been unable to heat themselves with the wet turf?

The Deputy is making a speech.

Owing to the present high cost of coal they are unable to purchase it on the small amount of 17/6 per week which is made available to them.

May I say, in reply to the relevant portions of the Deputy's supplementary, that I am aware of the fact that when the question of a modification of the means test was under consideration in this House in October, 1947, the Deputy and his Party voted against any modification of the means test. Now, that is the truth.

The Minister knows well that there is no comparison between the cost of living now and the cost of living as it was then—as has been made known by the workers of the country.

Is that the Minister's defence?

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