asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has yet considered proposals to increase children's allowances and to pay the allowance in respect of the first two children at present excluded from the Act; and, if so, whether he will state the result of his consideration of these proposals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Children's Allowances.
Mr. Byrne
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is proposed to increase the children's allowances during this term of the Dáil; and, if so, by how much.
I propose, with your permission, a Chinn Chomhairle, to take Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together.
The matters raised by the Deputies are covered in a reply which I gave on 31st October last to Deputies John O'Leary and Seán MacBride on this subject. I am not in a position, at present, to add anything to what I said on that occasion.
Mr. Byrne
Will the Minister give his consideration at the earliest possible moment?
Yes, I have given consideration, but not final consideration.
Would the Minister indicate what the difficulty is?
The difficulty is that I am only five months in office. The previous Minister held office for three years and did not clear up the matter.