asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he is aware that the increases in prices are causing great concern amongst old age pensioners; and whether he will bring forward the date for increasing their allowance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old Age Pensions.
5.
I regret that it would not be practicable to provide for the introduction of the increased rates of pension earlier than the dates mentioned in the Budget Statement, namely the beginning of August and October for non-contributory and contributory pensions respectively.
Can the Minister say what difficulties there would be?
It is a question of the financial arrangements made in the Budget and the introduction of the legislation to implement the changes after the Budget. We have brought forward the payment of increases in contributory pensions this year to October. It is usually the 1st January. This would not have been possible but for the machines that produce the stamps and the printing of the pension books which has been automated in recent times.
The Minister is old enough to remember some years ago when his Government restored a shilling cut in old age pensions by notifying the pensioners by telegram that the shilling was restored.
That was before an election.
If I remember correctly, at the time they had to produce some sort of inset for the books.
Would it not be possible to send them supplementary slip? The Minister must appreciate the difficulties with which these people are burdened at present by reason of the increase in the price of practically everything since the introduction of the Budget a few months ago. Are they to have any compensation at all for the increase in the cost of living between May and October when they will be paid their increases?
Question No. 6.
Is there no answer to that?
Would the Minister be in a position to say approximately how much would be involved?
No, I would not.
Would it be millions, or thousands?
There are 112,000 non-contributory old age pensioners and 45,000 contributory old age pensioners. It is a formidable task. Legislation implementing the provisions of the Budget will be brought in by me as soon as it is possible to do so.
That does not help the old age pensioners.
Is the Minister aware that there has been a doubling of prices since the Budget was introduced?
Not at all.
Is the Minister aware that real hardship is being caused to old age pensioners because they have to wait until October before the largesse of the Government as indicated in the Budget will take effect? In the meantime old age pensioners must pay the increase in prices directly attributable to that Budget.
If the Government are able to pay £100,000 for the Seven Days Inquiry surely they can make the money available to the old age pensioners?
Is the Minister denying there has been any increase in prices?
Does the Minister remember the occasion one Christmas when that disastrous Government, the second inter-Party Government, doubled old age pensions without the slightest difficulty?
(Interruptions.)
Their pensions were increased for Christmas.
A Deputy
By 10d a week.
Instant government.
Has the Minister for Social Welfare nothing to say about price increases?
Order. I am calling Question No. 6.
I think the Minister for Social Welfare has something to say about prices.
What I want to say is that the increases in social welfare benefits this year——
Are most inadequate to meet the needs.
——are certainly much larger than the 10d a week given by the inter-Party Government and the period of time from the date the increases were announced until they become operative is shorter.
Does the Minister not remember that at the time that 10d a week increase was given food was not taxed, in fact it was subsidised?
We cannot have a discussion on this matter. I am calling Question No. 6.
The Fianna Fáil Party brought in food subsidies and we fought an election in which the Deputy pointed out that we were taxing the poor man's pint in order to take a few pence off the bread. We brought in those subsidies and that is what the Deputy said about them then.
In the meantime the old age pensioners have to live on a diet of memories.