asked the Minister for Social Welfare if in view of the hardship caused to many widows in receipt of a widow's non-contributory pension he will consider favourably increasing the age limits under which dependant children qualify for an allowance.

The question of effecting improvements in the widows' and orphans' pension scheme is under constant review in my Department, but the introduction of legislation to extend the scope of the scheme on the lines suggested by the Deputy is not at present contemplated.