asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that, while arrangements have been made by Mayo County Council for an increase of twelve per cent in wages and salaries, no intention of increasing home assistance has been shown; and if he will make a statement on this matter.

The obligations of public assistance authorities in respect of payment of home assistance are laid down by law and unless it is shown that these obligations are not being observed I am not empowered to intervene. The fixing of the level of home assistance payments rests with the local authority and does not require reference to the Minister for Social Welfare.

Question No. 42.

I ask, for Deputy Leneghan.

42.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will grant immediately to all recipients of assistance and benefits under the Social Welfare Acts an increase of at least twelve per cent., so that payments to them will be in line with the current increases in wages.

Substantial increases were granted to recipients of social insurance benefits as from the beginning of January last and to recipients of social assistance as from the beginning of November, 1963. These increases are more than adequate to compensate for increases in the cost of living since the preceding increases were granted. I should perhaps point out that rates of payment under the social welfare schemes have been regularly increased in recent years even when there have been no general increases in rates of wages.

The rates of payment will continue to be kept under review in the light of the Government's declared policy of ensuring that social welfare beneficiaries will share in the growth of the national income.

Question No. 43.

Is Deputy Declan Costello here?

I ask the question.

Is it in order to answer it?

The question has been asked.

43.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total annual cost to the Exchequer of the last increase in social welfare payments.

The total annual cost to the Exchequer of the last increase in social welfare payments is estimated at £4,763,000.

Question No. 44.

For Deputy Cosgrave.