asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the Taoiseach's recent statement that a further upward revision of wages and salaries could now be considered to meet the rise in the cost of living, he will now take steps to increase the rates of disabled persons' maintenance allowances and infectious diseases maintenance allowances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Increased Maintenance Allowances.
2.
I assume the reference in the question to the Taoiseach's statement is to the statement in the letters which he sent to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Federated Union of Employers that:—
In the confident expectation that the country's present rate of economic growth will be maintained, and in conformity with the Government's policy that its benefits should be fairly distributed amongst the whole community, a further upward revision of wages and salaries might now be safely envisaged, on a scale which would provide compensation to all wage and salary earners for whatever rise in the general price level may follow on the introduction of the turnover tax, and also to such further extent as would represent their fair share of the estimated expansion of national resources in the coming year.
In accordance with that statement, the rates of the allowances mentioned in the question were increased three weeks ago, with effect from the date of introduction of the turnover tax; and since the amount of the increases in the basic rates varied from 7 per cent to 10 per cent, it may be taken that not alone has any increase in the cost of living been fully compensated for but account has been taken of expansion of the national resources as well.
Is the Minister aware that the allowances to which I have referred are the meanest, the lowest and the most niggardly in the land and that by reason of the implementation of the turnover tax, the cost of living has been increased out of all proportion for the unfortunate categories of persons to whom I have referred? Is it not time that the Minister saw his way to increase these allowances again so as to compensate, not for a 2½ per cent increase, but perhaps a 22½ per cent increase in the cost of living?
Having regard to the burden of taxation, about which the Deputy is sometimes very vocal, I think the allowances are all very generous indeed and as much as, within our means, we can allow.
This is showing callous indifference to the plight of these unfortunate people.
When the Deputy's Leader was there, they had nothing.
Of course, the Tánaiste should know that that is entirely untrue. He should know, but he may be as stupid in that as he was in his speech yesterday.
There was no disabled person's allowance while the Coalition Government were in office.
Nonsense.
And you opposed the 1953 Act, under which they were granted.
Nonsense.
And supported by the Labour Party.
It is as true as your commentary at the Fianna Fáil Árd-Fheis.You should be more accurate.
Mr. Ryan
He is disabled.
Not nearly as disabled as one of your clients will be.
That is a most improper observation and the Tánaiste, most of all, knows it.