asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that an assessment made by Dublin Health Authority of the basic needs of old people living alone demonstrates that old age pension rates are insufficient to cover the cost of all essentials; and if he will therefore have steps taken to ensure that old age pensions are increased at an early date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensions.
96.
I do not accept that, in general, old age pensions together with the additional benefits which pensioners are entitled to receive are insufficient to cover the cost of essentials. In cases where further assistance is required it is the duty of the public assistance authority to provide such assistance.
Increases in pensions in recent years have considerably exceeded the rise in the Consumer Price Index and in accordance with the policy of this Government, as announced in the Third Programme, an increasing proportion of growing national resources will be devoted to the extension and improvement of social welfare services.
Question No. 97.
Is there anybody to ask these questions? The names of three Deputies are down but none of them are here.
(Interruptions.)
Obviously they do not care about old people living alone in Dublin. They do not even care enough to be here to ask the questions.
Is Question No. 97 being asked?
Any technicality at all to get out of answering.
Is Question No. 98 being asked?
Yes.
Nobody asked No. 97.
Do not shirk it.
Deputy Coughlan is entitled to ask it on behalf of the Springboks.
Deputy Coughlan is able to stand on his own two feet and the people have signified that.
But the answer to the two questions is the same and Deputy Coughlan only agreed to ask one of them on behalf of Deputies Dr. Noel Browne, M. O'Leary and Dr. O'Connell.
Drag out the time now.
But I have to answer the two together and only one is asked.
The Minister has my imprimatur to go ahead.