asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he proposes to introduce proposals for legislation to increase old age pensions, widows' and orphans' pensions, etc., and whether he intends introducing such proposals during the present session of the Dáil.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Increase in old Age Pensions.
Mr. Byrne
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the date from which it is proposed to pay the new increase in old age and widows' and orphans' pensions.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is now in a position to indicate the date on which the increases in old age pensions and widows' pensions will be paid.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to answer Questions 2 to 4 together.
Within the next couple of weeks I hope to introduce proposals for legislation to increase old age pensions and widows' and orphans' pensions as envisaged in the Budget Statement. It will be appreciated that, after the legislation has been passed it will be necessary to print approximately 200,000 new pension books and to undertake an individual review and reassessment in all cases. In view of these considerations some time will necessarily elapse before payment of the increased rates can be made, but the matter is being pushed ahead with all possible expedition.
Would the Minister not consider as a temporary expedient introducing an amendment to the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1934, to provide for increased compensation under that Act? I am sure the Minister appreciates that, even if extra premiums are necessary, most decent employers would not object to the payment of those extra premiums.
I have a lot of sympathy with the viewpoint expressed by the Deputy. The question, however, as to the future of workmen's compensation is a matter that is presenting some difficulty. We can approach it in either of three ways; either by amending the existing Workmen's Compensation Act and allowing the present pattern to continue; or by introducing a new Act providing for the taking over of that service and its administration by the State; or we may integrate workmen's compensation with the general question of social insurance. Where wisdom lies in those three is a bit of a problem at the moment and the matter is under consideration. If we are not likely to take an early decision on the question of the ultimate destiny of workmen's compensation in this country, consideration will be given to the question of amending the existing Workmen's Compensation Act.
Mr. Byrne
Will the Minister take steps to ensure that the printing of the books will not delay the payment of the increased pensions? Will the Minister, as it were, post-date the actual date on which he proposes to pay them?
I did not get the earlier part of the Minister's reply. Do I understand him to say that he will introduce legislation within a period of two weeks?
Within a couple of weeks I hope to introduce proposals upon the matter. Legislation will then have to be passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. After that the machinery for the payment of the pensions will have to be set in motion. That machinery envisages the printing of approximately 200,000 new pension books, together with an individual review and reassessment in all cases, before it can be ascertained at what rate the new pensions will be paid. I cannot anticipate now how long that work will take, but I can assure the House that the work will be put through with the utmost expedition, always bearing in mind that the task is a fairly formidable one.
Do I understand that the Minister will allow no delay? I am satisfied once he says he will introduce the legislation within two weeks.
Mr. Byrne
If the Minister cannot get the pension books printed in time, will he state definitely the date from which the pension will be paid?
The Deputy has already asked that question.
Mr. Byrne
I have asked him about the payment of the pensions, not the printing of the books. Printing might be held up. All I wish to point out is that it should be definitely stated that payment will be made from some specific date.
I think the Deputy had better await the publication of the Bill.