asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he proposes to compensate social welfare beneficiaries immediately for the increases in the price of butter and other foodstuffs.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Written Answers. - Social Welfare Beneficiaries' Compensation.
75.
Despite the rapid increase in the cost of living, social welfare beneficiaries are still much better off than they were before July, 1973, when the Government first increased their payments. The Government, of course, are most anxious to protect the standard of living of those depending on social welfare payments and have decided, as is pointed out in the recent White Paper, "A National Partnership", that social welfare payments will be increased in the budget to be introduced next month and will be further revised during the year 1975.
76.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will improve considerably the free butter scheme for old age pensioners.
The Deputy is, no doubt, referring to the EEC social assistance butter scheme. Under that scheme a social assistance beneficiary may purchase one pound of butter per month and an additional pound for each of his dependants at a reduced price. The scheme is due to end on 31st December, 1974, and the question of whether it will be continued and the form it will take has yet to be decided by the Council of Ministers.