Vol. 421 No. 4
306 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the levels of payment of invalidity pension have not been maintained in line with other benefits; and if in view of the fact that these are long term payments, he will examine these levels in the next Social Welfare Bill.
The thrust of Government policy in relation to social welfare benefits in recent years has been to maintain or increase the general level of benefits in real terms, while providing additional increases in the rates of the lowest payments. Budgetary increases in invalidity pension rates have been in line with the general increase in social welfare payments, which in 1990 amounted to 5 per cent, and in 1991 and 1992 to 4 per cent per annum. These increases are in line with the commitment in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to protect social welfare rates against inflation.
On the introduction of invalidity pension in 1970, the basic rate of payment was set at the level applying to disability benefit. Subsequently, in keeping with the policy of providing higher payments to long term recipients, invalidity pension rates were increased above those for disability benefit. Invalidity pension payment levels will be reviewed in a budgetary context taking account of the relevant recommendations of the National Pensions Board and the commitments given under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.
