asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether in view of the hardship imposed on old age pensioners by the present rate of pension, he intends to introduce legislation to provide for an increased pension.

In view of the fact that increases in old age pensions were granted as recently as August 1959, it is not proposed, at present, to introduce legislation to provide for further increases.

Would the Minister be prepared to reconsider his answer in view of the Bill we are now discussing?

The Deputy took the words out of my mouth.

They suit either of you.

Would the Minister consider introducing legislation whereby a man getting workmen's compensation will not have to forfeit the old age pension as a result of getting workmen's compensation?

That is a separate question.

2.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will double the old age pension for the week preceding Christmas.

It is not proposed to make a special payment of the kind referred to.

I think the Parliamentary Secretary should take steps to have a double old age pension made payable for Christmas week. It would not cost a great deal of money.

The Deputy is making a speech. Has he a supplementary question to ask?

Would it cost a great deal of money? How much would it cost?

It would cost approximately £216,000.

As I said when I asked this question this day twelve months, that is only a bagatelle out of the Taoiseach's £100 million.

The Deputy is continuing his speech.

They are leaving it to Santa Claus.

There is no Santa Claus in this House.