asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware of the acute overcrowding of county homes due to the accommodation of large numbers of old age pensioners who are unable to live outside these homes on their existing pensions; and, if so, whether he will take steps to have their income augmented by the provision of additional allowances, sufficient to enable them to continue living in their own homes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensioners: Accommodation.
I am not aware that the position in regard to county homes is as suggested in the question, and, accordingly, I do not contemplate taking the action suggested by the Deputy.
I am surprised that the Minister does not know that. At the moment, in St. John's Hospital, Enniscorthy, there are 200 old age pensioners. These people would not be there if they could get a pension which would be sufficient to keep them outside the home. Is the Minister notaware that the cost of living has increased since he gave them ? after the last Budget to meet the cost of living? Surely to goodness these people should not be expected to try to exist on 21/6 a week? If they were in Britain they would be treated differently. In Britain a single man gets 34/- a week.
Deputy O'Leary is making a speech and is not asking a supplementary question.
Some of the people whom I have in mind are old I.R.A. men who are expected to eke out an existence on 21/6 per week. Shame on the Minister for Social Welfare.
"Up Britain"! It is always the same with Deputy O'Leary. According to him conditions in Britain have always been better than conditions in our own country.
Things were as bad in this country during the previous 16 years of office of Fianna Fáil.