andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Finance the total cost to the Exchequer of increasing all State pensions and social welfare pensions to achieve equality with the average increase gained by industrial workers in the eighth round of wage increases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Increasing Pensions.
20.
I am unable to ascertain precisely the average increase gained by industrial workers in the eighth round of wage increases. However, the index number of average hourly earnings for workers in the transportable goods industries shows a rise of 10.5 per cent. between December, 1960 and December, 1961. The total cost to the Exchequer of increasing all State pensions and social welfare pensions by that amount is estimated at £1,875,000 per annum.
21.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Finance the total cost to the Exchequer and the per £1 increase in direct taxation to provide for each additional shilling increase in (1) contributory and non-contributory old age pensions (2) widows' and orphans' pensions and (3) blind pensions.
The total cost to the Exchequer of an increase of 1/- in the pensions mentioned is estimated as follows:—
|
Old Age Pensions (Contributory and Non-Contributory) |
£325,000 |
|
Widows' and Orphans' Pensions |
£91,000 |
|
Blind Pensions |
£17,000 |