asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is proposed this year to introduce any of the following changes in legislation referred to on several occasions in recent years by Government spokesmen: (a) an amendment of the Public Assistance code; (b) the introduction of a graduated system of retirement pensions; (c) the introduction of a graduated system of unemployment and sickness benefit; and (d) a modification in the income qualifications in respect of non-manual employees who go out of full insurance as a result of inflation, promotion and universal pay increases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Legislation Changes.
18.
Legislation will be necessary before the summer recess to give effect to the improvements in social welfare payments announced in the budget statement. It is not possible at this stage to say what other matters, if any, will be included in that or any other social welfare legislation which may be introduced this year.
Surely the Minister will agree that it is hardly fair for a Government Minister to announce certain changes which are proposed to be introduced and then, when amending legislation is introduced later on, to ignore the proposed changes? Would it not be better for the Minister to include them in the amending legislation or not to announce them at all? He can be accused of deliberately announcing changes which he has no intention of carrying out.
I do not think that some of the things the Deputy refers to are quite acceptable for Bills. It would not be possible to incorporate them in what is now the annual miscellaneous Social Welfare Bill.
Does the Minister intend to introduce that legislation? That was the question I asked.
All the things I mentioned here are in the process of being prepared for legislation where legislation is necessary.
Before summer?
I would not say before summer. I would not commit myself. I would say the Bill will be introduced before the summer recess.