asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of disability benefit payable to a man with a wife and two children in 1956, and the amount payable at present.

The rate of disability benefit pabable to a man with a wife and two children was 61/- a week in 1956 and is 98/6d. a week at present.

33.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of unemployment assistance payable to a man with a wife and two children in 1956, and the amount payable at present.

The maximum weekly rate of unemployment assistance payable to a man with a wife and two child dependants in 1956 was 38/- if resident in an urban area and 28/- if resident elsewhere. The corresponding rates at present are 67/6d and 59/6d, and these will be increased to 72/6d and 64/6d respectively as from 1st August, 1964.

34.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the rate of old age pension payable in 1956 and in 1964.

The maximum weekly rate of old age non-contributory pension which in 1956 was 24/- will become 37/6 as from the beginning of August, 1964. Under the contributory old age pension scheme, introduced in January, 1961, the maximum personal pension is 50/- per week. A further 37/6d. is payable for an adult dependant.

In the Social Welfare Bill at present before the Oireachtas, it is proposed to provide for the first time for payments under both the contributory and non-contributory schemes in respect of child dependants.

35.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of non-contributory pension payable to a widow with two children in 1956 and in 1964.

The maximum rate of widow's non-contributory pension payable to a widow with two qualified children was 36/6 a week in 1956 and is 53/6 at present. This rate will be further increased to 56/- a week as from the August, 1964.

36.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount of the contributory pension payable to a widow with two children in 1956 and in 1964.

The rate of widow's contributory pension payable to a widow with two qualified children was 46/- a week in 1956 and is 71/- a week at present.

37.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the rate of children's allowance payable to a family of (a) one, (b) two, and (c) three children in 1956 and in 1964.

The monthly rate of children's allowance payable to a family, with one qualified child, was nil in 1956 and is now 10/-; to a family with two qualified children it was 11/- in 1956 and is now £1. 5. 6., and to a family with three qualified children it was £1. 8. 6. in 1956 and is now £2. 12. 0.