asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether in view of the fact that the weekly cost of the food of a private soldier is £1 5s. 3d. and the annual cost of clothing £24 19s. 4d., he will take steps to bring persons who are dependent on assistance or benefits provided by his Department up to the same level.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
4.
The rates of assistance and benefit payable by my Department have never been determined by reference to the cost of providing food and clothing for members of the Defence Forces.
The rates of assistance payments are determined, having regard to all the relevant circumstances, by relation to the amount which the Exchequer can reasonably be expected to provide. In the case of benefit payments the level of contributions by employers and employees is, of course, also a determining factor.
I might remind the Deputy that increases estimated to cost the Exchequer an additional £883,000 in the current financial year were granted as from the 1st August last on old age and blind pensions, widows (non-contributory) pensions and unemployment assistance. These increases will cost approximately £1,313,000 in the next financial year.
If it costs £1 14s. to keep a private soldier in the Irish Army then, considering that they have not to take the cost of fuel or rent into account, is it not about time we considered giving our old age pensioners a substantial increase?
I informed the Deputy that the rates of benefit are not made in relation to the pay of members of the Defence Forces. The assistance is a grant-in-aid.