asked the Minister for Social Welfare the estimated cost to the Exchequer in 1978 of an increase of 5 per cent across the board from October next, in respect of weekly social welfare payments.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Payments Increases.
330.
The estimated cost to the Exchequer in 1978 of an increase of 5 per cent in all weekly social welfare payments from 1 October 1978 is £3.285 million.
331.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cost to the Exchequer in 1978, of a 10 per cent increase in children's allowances from July 1978.
The estimated cost to the Exchequer, in 1978, of a 10 per cent increase in children's allowances, from July 1978 is £2,600,000.
332.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the estimated cost to the Exchequer in 1978 of reducing the old age pension age to 65 years from October 1978.
The estimated cost to the Exchequer in 1978 of reducing the old age pension age to 65 years from October, 1978 is £2.16 million.
333.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the estimated cost to the Exchequer in 1978 of eliminating the remaining elements of discrimination against women in the social welfare system from (a) July 1978 and (b) October 1978.
In the case of benefit and assistance payments, which do not involve dependants, the figures sought by the Deputy are approximately (a) £3,800,000 and (b) £1,900,000 respectively. The payment to women of increases of benefit in respect of dependants on the same conditions as apply to men would involve a re-casting of social welfare schemes and until such time as the new dependency conditions were established a realistic estimate of the cost involved would not be possible.