I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 46, 47, and 48 together.
One-half of disability benefit has always been assessed as means for special allowances purposes, and consequently an increase in disability benefit has always involved an adjustment of a special allowance where the recipient is also in receipt of disability benefit. In all such cases, however, the overall income from public funds is increased, seeing that only one-half of the increase in disability benefit is assessed. I do not propose to change the system.
The number of special allowances being paid on 31st December, 1965, was 8,546. On the basis of figures extracted when the position was last examined in August, 1965, it may be assumed that about ten per cent of the recipients were also in receipt of disability benefit and so qualified for the increase in that benefit which became effective as from 3rd January, 1966.