asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the very high cost of living, he will introduce proposals for legislation to amend the Children's Allowances Act so that the weekly allowance of 2/6 will be payable in respect of every child under 16 years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Children's Allowances.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is yet in a position to say the extent to which the Government propose to extend or increase children's allowances and the date upon which such extension or increase will become operative.
I propose with your permission, a Chinn Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 117 and 118 together.
As I indicated in a reply which I gave to Deputies Alfred P. Byrne and Daniel Desmond on 18th July last the particular matters referred to in these questions are being examined. I am not yet in a position, however, to make an announcement as to proposals for the amendment of the present scheme of children's allowances nor to fix a date for the introduction of legislation on the matter.
When does the Minister hope to be in a position to make an announcement to the House on this matter? He was not so slow in coming to a decision before the elections?
It will be after the other one. I did not make such ambitious promises as the Deputy.
Did the Minister not tell us during the election that he had proposals ready before 1947?
Of course.
What is the cause of the delay now?
Deputy Norton said his proposals were ready three years ago.
Where did you lose them between then and now?