asked the Minister for Health if the commitment in the Programme for National Recovery to maintain the overall value of social welfare benefits can be taken as applying to the range of allowances paid by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Maintenance of Social Welfare Benefits.
213.
A sum of £69.5 million has been provided in subhead G2 of the health vote for 1988. This represents an increase of 3 per cent on the corresponding 1987 figure. The increase covers the full 1988 cost of the 1987 budget increase in the rates of allowances and also provides for the anticipated growth in the number of recipients. There is no provision in the figure for an increase in the rates in 1988. A decision in this regard will be taken in the context of the 1988 budget.