Vol. 509 No. 4
289 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will increase invalidity pension in line with the proposed increase in the old age pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20400/99]
The Government is committed to substantially increasing social welfare payments and, specifically, to increasing the old age pension to £100 a week by the year 2002. Significant progress has already been made in this regard. In the two budgets since taking office, the Government has moved half way towards achieving the £100 target rate by increasing the personal rates of old age contributory and retirement pensions by £11 to £89 per week. Invalidity pensioners aged 65 and over have also received similar increases.
The rates of payment for social welfare recipients under pension age, including invalidity pensioners aged under 65 years, have been increased by £6 per week over the same period. These increases now mean that the weekly rates of invalidity pension range between 105 per cent and 124 per cent of the Commission on Social Welfare's recommended target rate.
292 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans, if any, he has to bring forward the payment date for budget increases in the widow's pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20609/99]
The 1999 budget provided for an increase of £6 a week for old age pensioners, including widows and widowers aged over 66 years, together with an increase of £3 a week for all other social welfare recipients aged under 66 years. These improvements came into effect from the beginning of June 1999.
The question of the level of future increases to be provided, including increases for widows and widowers, together with the effective dates of those increases, are matters to be decided in a budgetary context having regard to the available resources and in the light of the Government's other priorities.
