asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cost to the Exchequer of giving an additional week's payment for Christmas to non-contributory old age pensioners.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensioners' Christmas Payment.
70.
The cost to the Exchequer of giving an additional week's payment for Christmas to non-contributory old age pensioners is estimated at £935,000.
Seeing that as a result of petrol taxes the Exchequer has had a cash inflow of at least £30 million since we discussed this last week, would the Parliamentary Secretary be prepared now to give the very small sum of approximately £900,000 to these people in an effort to brighten their Christmas?
As the Deputy is aware, the Minister for Finance has announced that the budget will be on 15th January.
When is Christmas?
We are all most anxious that as large and as equitable an increase be granted to all social welfare recipients. In the recent White Paper a commitment has been given to raising social welfare benefits and having them reviewed during the year. I am sure the Deputy will agree with me that any money available should be spread as widely as possible and embrace as many people as possible. It would be very hard luck on somebody who, say, became eligible for a benefit on the 1st January to find that practically £1 million had been spent in this way. It would be far more beneficial that any money available be given to these people on a weekly basis as a permanent arrangement.
I am afraid I cannot accept the logic of the Parliamentary Secretary's argument, which does not make sense as far as I am concerned. Despite the vague promises contained in the White Paper recently issued by the Government, would the Parliamentary Secretary use his influence or powers of persuasion, which are good at times, on his colleagues to give this extra cash benefit to the non-contributory old age pensioners, a very badly off section of our community who certainly could do with that extra couple of bob this Christmas?
To ensure that people's expectations are not raised, must I say that there are no proposals to introduce the legislation necessary to give this extra money for Christmas.
Acting Chairman
Question No. 71.
It is going to be a bad Christmas for people who are badly off already.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that non-contributory old age pensioners, especially those completely dependent on the pension, are finding it extremely difficult to live on the pension? Further, will the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the recent increases in food prices have made their position impossible? Even at this late stage would the Parliamentary Secretary not try to get the Government to reconsider the position in relation to the non-contributory old age pensioners and those people generally on social assistance?
I accept fully that the present economic difficulties and inflation have probably hit the non-contributory pensioners and others in that category hardest of all. I accept fully that it is extremely difficult for those people to live on the present rate. But I should like to make it perfectly clear—this arose last week when Deputies, apparently unthinkingly, stated that increases granted to these people had been eroded by inflation— that this is not factually correct.
The Parliamentary Secretary cannot sell us that one.
If the Deputy would take the trouble to ascertain the facts he will realise that I am not trying to sell anything.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not give them a couple of extra pounds of butter at least, give them three or four more vouchers?
Acting Chairman
Question No. 71.