asked the Minister for Social Welfare the nominal increase in long-term social welfare payments announced on Budget day in respect of each of the years 1973 to 1983; and if he will estimate on an April to April basis the real increase/decrease in the value of such payments taking into account the rate of inflation.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Increases.
77.
The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following tabular statement which shows the nominal percentage increase each year and the real increase or decrease at April in that year over the previous April.
Increases in Long-term Social Welfare Weekly Payments
|
Date of Introduction |
Nominal Percentage Increase Awarded |
Real Increase/Decrease April to April |
||
|
% |
% |
|||
|
1973 July |
18 |
— |
||
|
1974 July |
18 |
+ 2 |
.7 |
|
|
1975 April |
22 |
+16 |
||
|
October |
5 |
.3 |
||
|
1976 April |
10 |
- 0 |
.4 |
|
|
October |
5 |
A |
||
|
1977 April |
9 |
.2 |
- 0 |
.5 |
|
October |
5 |
|||
|
1978 April |
10 |
+ 7 |
.8 |
|
|
1979 April |
16 |
+ 3 |
.8 |
|
|
October |
6 |
|||
|
1980 April |
25 |
+12 |
.5 |
|
|
1981 April |
25 |
+ 5 |
||
|
October |
5 |
|||
|
1982 April |
25 |
+ 9 |
.5 |
|
|
1983 June |
12 |
B |
A The increases in October 1976 were not announced on Budget day.
B The latest available Consumer Price Index figure is for mid-February 1983. The percentage increase in the rate of inflation between April 1982 and February 1983 is 9.3%.