asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the very considerable increases in the prices of clothing and foodstuffs since the scales of payments to the various classes of persons entitled to relief from boards of assistance were drawn up; and whether, in view of the inadequacy of these payments, arising from the high cost of living at present, he will take the necessary steps to have them substantially increased.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Increase of Relief Payments.
I am naturally aware that there has been a considerable increase in the price of clothing and foodstuffs during the past few years. I do not know, however, what date the Deputy has in mind in his reference to the time when the scales of payments to the various classes of persons entitled to relief from boards of assistance were drawn up. The payment of home assistance is a matter for the respective public assistance authorities who act entirely on their own discretion. The Deputy is presumably aware of the substantial grants that have been made available from the Exchequer since 1941/42 to recoup to public assistance authorities the cost of additional allowances of assistance in kind to recipients of home assistance.
The Parliamentary Secretary has not answered the question as to whether it is his intention to provide increased benefits for the recipients of poor law relief and other people who have inadequate allowances. What are they to do for clothing or foodstuffs in view of the very high cost of living at present? I put it to the Parliamentary Secretary that he ought to recommend to those in charge that the poor are entitled to their consideration, and that he ought to do so without delay, because they are suffering very grave hardships. Is the Minister not going to make any statement other than to say that the board of assistance have power to give relief? When they are not giving such relief will he not make any recommendation? Will he not try to wake them up to a sense of their responsibilities? He still refuses to answer. I protest against his conduct in this matter.