asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that widows' pensions are inadequate to meet the present high cost of living; and whether he proposes to have these pensions increased.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widows' Pensions.
The rates of widows' pensions, both contributory and noncontributory, were increased in recent years to meet increases in the cost of living. It is not at present proposed to increase the rates of those pensions further.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say what the amount of the increase given in recent years is?
In 1952 the noncontributory pension stood at 20/-, 26/- and 32/-. In 1955, that was increased to 22/6, 29/6 and 36/6. In 1957, it was further increased to 23/6, 31/6 and 38/6. The contributory pension was stepped up to 30/-, 38/- and 46/-. These figures relate to a widow alone, a widow and one qualified child and a widow with two or more qualified children.