asked the Minister for Social Welfare the present amount paid to blind pensioners and non-contributory old age pensioners, and the increases granted over the past ten years.

The present basic weekly rate for non-contributory old age and blind pension is 32s. 6d. Increases granted over the past ten years were as follows: 2s. 6d. in 1955; 1s. in 1957; 2s. 6d. in 1959; 1s. in 1960; 1s. 6d. in 1961; 2/6 in 1962.