asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in view of the inadequacy of the benefits provided under the Unemployment Assistance Acts and the persistent increase in the cost of living, he is prepared to introduce proposals for legislation enabling him to increase substantially the allowances provided under these Acts; and, if so, when these proposals will be available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Assistance.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and accordingly the second part does not arise.
Am I to take it that the Government is not prepared to increase expenditure to provide adequate allowances for unemployed people, but is prepared to increase expenditure to provide generous pensions for Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries, and to increase allowances for Deputies? Is that Government policy?