asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is intended to introduce supplementary social welfare increases in October 1979 in the light of recent major increases in the consumer price index.
Written Answers. - Supplementary Social Welfare Increases.
97.
As the Deputy is aware, increases of 16 per cent in long-term social welfare payments and 12 per cent in short-term social welfare payments together with substantial increases in the rates of children's allowances were provided in the 1979 Budget with effect from April 1979.
The proposed National Understanding for Economic and Social Development, which was rejected by the trade unions, restated the Government's commitment to maintain the living standards of social welfare recipients by regular adjustments of the level of payments at least in line with the cost of living and included an undertaking to provide increases of £1 a week on all adult benefits with pro rata improvements for dependants from 1 October 1979 until 31 March 1980.
An alternative agreement between employers and unions is at present under consideration and it has been indicated that if this agreement is ratified the Government will honour the undertakings given, including the social welfare increases which I have already mentioned.