asked the Minister for Finance if he can indicate what progress has been made in the payment of increases to State pensioners since the Budget.

As indicated in my reply of 13th November, 1962, to a question put by Deputy Cosgrave the pension increases have already been paid to the majority of pensioners. The work of issuing increases in the remaining cases is proceeding as quickly as possible.

9.

asked the Minister for Finance whether he will accept the principle that all pensions paid from State sources should increase with each rise in the cost of living.

In so far as public service pensions are concerned I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a question on the subject of pensions increases put by Deputy O'Keeffe on 4th December, 1962. As I indicated on that occasion, the granting of pension increases at any time must always be subject to the financial and economic conditions then prevailing.