Vol. 410 No. 6
82 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give a breakdown of the recent budgetary increases to both old age contributory and non-contributory pensioners; whether these percentage increases are less than percentage increases to other categories of social welfare recipients; if so, the reason therefor; and if his Department intend to take action to eliminate the disparity.
Significant progress has been made in recent budgets to improve the position of low income families dependent on social welfare payments. This year's budget was no exception.
The largest increases have again been given to those on the lowest payments. The personal rates of payment have been increased as follows:
|
Increase |
New Personal Rate Rate |
|
|
% |
£ |
|
|
Old Age Contributory Pension |
4.0 |
64.00 |
|
Retirement Pension |
4.0 |
64.00 |
|
Old Age Non-Contributory Pension |
3.8 |
55.00 |
|
Disability Benefit (Short Term) |
4.2 |
50.00 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
4.3 |
56.40 |
|
Unemployment Benefit (Short Term) |
4.2 |
50.00 |
|
Unemployment Assistance (Long Term) |
5.8 |
55.00 |
|
Unemployment Assistance (Short Term) |
11.1 |
50.00 |
|
Single Women's |
5.8 |
55.00 |
