andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether, in view of the categories of newly unemployed now entering into unemployment benefit, he will consider increasing at once the rates of unemployment and other similar social welfare benefits, because such people are unable without serious hardship to their wives and families to meet hire purchase, rent and other commitments entered into during a period of reasonable incomes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Increased Social Welfare Benefits.
37.
The rise in recent weeks in the numbers of persons registered as unemployed appears to be due mainly to the exceptionally severe weather experienced since Christmas and there is every reason to expect that the situation will improve rapidly on the return of more normal weather conditions. In view of the fact that the rates of unemployment benefit were substantially increased, in common with the rates of other social insurance benefits, as recently as the beginning of last month, I cannot entertain the suggestion—which would entail legislation—that they should be further increased now.
Please God, the weather will improve.