Vol. 481 No. 5
30 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views on whether the cost of living is higher for old age pensioners living in rural areas; the proposals, if any, he has in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16420/97]
It would be extremely difficult to measure if the cost of living is higher in rural areas than in urban areas or in cities and, indeed, to get agreement on such a measure and the boundaries to which it applied. Indeed, the same difficulties could apply to measuring between different rural areas or different urban areas or different cities.
Some initiatives, such as the scheme of community support for older people, which was established to address the security needs of vulnerable older people in the community, while available to all pensioners, benefits many in rural areas.
However, the whole question of the adequacy of pensions generally, both social welfare and occupational pensions, is being considered in the context of the national pensions policy initiative and I expect to receive the Pensions Board report, including recommendations, before the end of the year.
