andMr. Crinion asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will consider providing free milk and butter to all old age pensioners, widows in receipt of social welfare entitlements and similar categories.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
39.
It is the Minister's policy in promoting social welfare legislation to provide payments in cash in preference to benefits in kind. The Deputies will be aware in this regard that substantial increases were granted in the January budget to all social welfare beneficiaries and that further increases will be payable from October next.
Would the Minister not agree that it would be very desirable that old age pensioners should have a pint of milk a day?
It is easy to say that such steps are desirable and in a way they are but it is the Department's policy, for reasons which are clear and well-founded, to provide payments in cash in preference to benefits in kind and it is the Department's intention to continue that.
The last statement by the Minister is out of line with the new Bill introduced by the Minister for Social Welfare—the Social Assistance Bill—which expressly states that payments in kind or in services can be given. If it is a desirable thing to include in new social welfare legislation, surely it is desirable in existing legislation?
Payment in kind may be made in certain circumstances and may be desirable in certain circumstances. It is the Department's policy to prefer payment in cash as a matter of general principle.
May I ask the Minister, having regard to his regard for the English language to give me one example of what he would regard as a "substantial" increase that has occurred?
I do not know that my regard for the English language arises here. I think I have answered the question fully and that I have also dealt with the supplementaries on it.
If the Minister informs the House that substantial increases have occurred, I suggest it is perfectly in order for a Deputy to ask him to give an example of one of the increases in question.
He may have meant the cost of living.
The Deputy is well aware, and the House and the country are well aware of the substantial increases in social welfare payments that have occurred. I have not time to review the whole matter.
The remaining questions will appear on next week's Order Paper except in the case of questions to which Deputies may require written answers and these can be obtained at the general office.