asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he intends to introduce proposals for legislation to increase the children's allowances in the near future.

As the Deputy is, no doubt, aware the social services were substantially improved as from the 1st January last. I have now completed the examination of proposals for a comprehensive social insurance scheme which will be the Government's next objective in the improvement and extension of our code of social legislation. When these proposals have been implemented the question of increasing the allowances under the Children's Allowances Acts will be considered.