It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 97, 98, 99 and 100 together.
As the Deputy is aware, this year's budget provided for a general increase of 3 per cent in all weekly social welfare payments effective from next month. This means an increase of £2 a week in all personal rates and £1 a week in adult dependant allowances.
In addition to weekly cash payments, a range of additional benefits is available to recipients of certain social welfare payments who also satisfy the relevant conditions. The additional benefits include free travel, which is available to everybody in the State aged 66 years or over, free electricity allowance, free natural gas allowance, free telephone rental, free television licence, fuel allowance, assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, rent allowance, butter vouchers and the Christmas bonus payment. The question of improving or enhancing the range of additional benefits available, including extending them to recipients not covered at present, are matters for consideration in a budgetary context and in the light of available resources.