asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will increase old age pensions, as many old age pensioners are not able to exist on the present allowance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Increased Old Age Pensions.
71.
The rates payable are, of course, laid down by statute and I have no power to alter them. I would remind the Deputy that these pensions, in common with other Social Assistance payments, were increased under the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1963, last November; that this was the fifth successive year in which increases were granted and that there have, in fact, been six increases since 1957. The Deputy may rest assured that the question of further improvements is kept constantly in mind.