asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the inadequacy of the pension allowance paid under the widows' and orphans' scheme to meet the rapidly rising prices and cost of living, and if he will state if it is proposed at an early date to grant reasonable increases so as to prevent hardships being inflicted on those in receipt of the inadequate allowances.

The Social Welfare Bill which I hope to bring before the House in a matter of weeks will include provision for substantial increases in both contributory and non-contributory widows' pensions.

When will the increase come into operation?

Long before the Deputy expects.