asked the Taoiseach the value of the present £1 sterling in 1932.
5.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Value of £.
4.
asked the Taoiseach the value of the present £1 sterling in 1948.
6.
asked the Taoiseach the value of the £1 at 31st March each year since 1959.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4, 5 and 6 together and to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the estimated amounts which would have been required at specified periods to purchase the same quantum of goods and services at retail prices as would £1 at mid-August, 1969. The estimates are based on the consumer price index numbers which are calculated in respect of mid-February, mid-May, mid-August and mid-November each year. The mid-August, 1969 index is the latest available.
Following is the statement:—
ESTIMATED amounts which would have been required at the periods specified to purchase the same quantum of goods and services at retail prices as would £1 at mid-August, 1969.
|
Period |
Amount |
||
|
s. |
d. |
||
|
Mid-August, |
1969 |
20 |
0 |
|
,,February |
1969 |
19 |
4 |
|
,,,, |
1968 |
18 |
1 |
|
,,,, |
1967 |
17 |
4 |
|
,,,, |
1966 |
16 |
8 |
|
,,,, |
1965 |
16 |
4 |
|
,,,, |
1964 |
15 |
2 |
|
,,,, |
1963 |
14 |
8 |
|
,,,, |
1962 |
14 |
2 |
|
,,,, |
1961 |
13 |
8 |
|
,,,, |
1960 |
13 |
3 |
|
,,,, |
1959 |
13 |
7 |
|
Year |
1948 |
9 |
2 |
|
Year |
1932 |
4 |
7 |
Would it not be simpler to give the three different figures now? There is no particular difficulty about it.
There is a table giving the figures for about 12 or 14 years.
I remember similar questions being answered with just one word.
Yes, when one year was asked for. I will read them out if the House wishes. It is a waste of the time of the House.
Question No. 7.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree——
Question No. 7.
Is it usual for a Minister——
I had called Question No. 7.
Arising out of the inaudible reply, which I am sure the Minister was anxious that I should hear, I would gratefully appreciate the Minister's being allowed to repeat it.
There is no such scheme in operation at present. The desirability of such a scheme and its relative priority among the many services which might be provided for old people will be examined in conjunction with the other Departments concerned.
I want to know if the Parliamentary Secretary, who was on his feet to answer my supplementary question, will be allowed to do so before the Minister intervenes?
The question has been answered, so far as I am aware.
My question was: was it not true that Questions 4 and 5 could be answered with two figures?
Yes, but three questions were taken together. There is a table which gives a reply to the three questions.
They were taken together in order to avoid answering them.
The answer is given.
The answer is not given.
It will be in the Official Report.
We are dealing with Question No. 7 to the Minister for Health. Deputy Ryan has a supplementary question.
Would the Minister have regard to the fact that the geriatric problem is multiplying and that a larger proportion of the population are likely in future to be compulsorily retired, thereby increasing this problem? Would he, therefore, consider the high desirability of giving this priority in any social programmes the Government may have?
The problem is twofold—first of all the necessity for establishing as far as possible arrangements for domiciliary care by which as many old people as possible can be kept and attended in their homes and out of institutions and then to deal with the problems of the growing numbers of persons who will live longer and those at the age of 65 and over who will retire. There has been an interdepartmental committee on the care of the aged which has made most valuable recommendations, one of which is on the teaching and helping of old people to live in retirement. That will be considered with many other proposals, some of which I would say will be given their priority in connection with this matter which is also of importance.