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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Feb 1962

Vol. 193 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Payments: Parity with West Germany.

74.

andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if in view of the provisions of the Rome Treaty which entail the establishment of parity in social services he will state the percentage and monetary increases in (a) old age pension, (b) unemployment benefit, (c) widows pension and (d) blind pension needed in payments in this country to bring about parity with rates at present paid in Western Germany.

It would be quite impossible to furnish an answer to the Deputies' Question as framed, because of the wide diversities between the social security schemes in the two countries. I should, perhaps, mention that there are also wide diversities between the social security schemes of the countries now forming the European Economic Community, and the Regulations on social security which have been adopted by the Council of the Community recognise these differences.

It is not correct to say that the Treaty of Rome entails the establishment of parity in social services. The provisions of the Treaty on social policy are contained in articles 117 to 128, and are dealt with in paragraphs 73 to 75 of the White Paper on the European Economic Community which was laid before the Dáil on the 30th June, 1961.

Is it not the intention of the Community ultimately to reach parity, by 1970?

There is no such provision at the moment. The Deputy should read the Treaty again and read the White Paper which we have already circulated to him.

The Minister should read it again, too.

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