asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of recipients of social welfare benefits who will benefit by increased allowances from 1st November and the total cost.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Increased Social Welfare Beneficiaries.
13.
It is estimated that, under the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1963, 467,000 persons will receive new or improved benefits as from the 1st November, 1963, under the non-contributory schemes of Children's Allowances, Old Age, Blind and Widows' Pensions and Unemployment Assistance which will cost the Exchequer £1,688,000 in the current financial year and £4,000,000 in a full year.
In addition, the Act provides for increases in contributory benefits payable under the Social Insurance scheme. These increases will come into operation early in January, 1964, and will cover some 143,000 persons receiving Contributory Old Age and Widows' Pensions, and Disability, Maternity and Unemployment Benefits at an estimated cost to the Exchequer of £250,000 in the current financial year and £661,000 in a full year.
Taking the first figure mentioned, that of the number of recipients who will benefit from tomorrow, are they actually recipients? In the case of children's allowances, say, is it the number of children? Are they included or is it purely recipients?
No, just recipients.