asked the Minister for Finance how many old age pensioners and widows will benefit by the recent Budget; how many State and local authority pensioners will benefit by getting increased pensions under the same provisions; and the approximate amount of money involved in one year for the above categories.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pension Increases.
As the answer is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:—
Category |
Number |
Cost in full year |
£ |
||
Non-contributory old Age (including Blind) Pensions |
117,000 |
760,000 |
Non-contributory Widows' Pensions |
23,000 |
150,000 |
Contributory old Age (including adult dependants) Pensions |
50,300 |
* |
Contributory Widows' Pensions |
37,000 |
|
State pensions |
33,300 |
316,300 |
Local authority pensions |
5,300 |
† |
* not yet available.
not available.
Will the Minister consider adding to that tabular statement a statement of the proportion which it is estimated the old age pensioners, local authority pensioners and State pensioners will have to pay in respect of the £7½ million he proposes to levy on food, fuel and clothing——
That, surely, is a separate question.
That is a separate question.
I thought it would be a useful annexe of information which Deputy Burke would wish to have.
Is the Minister aware that Fine Gael and Labour voted against all these increases?
Including the one for the widow in Balbriggan?
Another figment of Deputy Burke's imagination.
The Minister will see how necessary an annexe is.