asked the Minister for Social Welfare if there is any set scale in his Department for use by inspectors in calculating means, for example the cost of board and lodging for any member of a family living in with his parents and contributing to his parents for his board and lodging.

There is no set scale for the assessment of the means of claimants for assistance. Where the cost of board and lodging is a factor in the assessment of means, the value placed on it is determined, after investigation of each case, by the circumstances and standard of living of the household.

Would it not be desirable to have a scale?

I do not think so. I think it would be ridiculous.

Does not the fact that you have not one lead to all kinds of trouble and abuses?

I think it is desirable that the circumstances of each household should be taken into account rather than that there should be a set scale which could be unjust in certain cases.

Even on a percentage basis?

I do not see how it could be fixed. I think the present system is better.

14.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the salaries paid to inspectors or investigators employed in the investigation of means of applicants for old age pensions, widows' pensions, etc., in 1961 and at the latest available date; and the portion of this increase due to increases in cost of living.

The means of applicants for old age pensions and widows' pensions are investigated by social welfare officers. Their salary scales on 1st April, 1961, were:

Scale A (single man or woman):

£430×19—449×20—589×24—870;

Scale B (married man) :£430×29 —488×26—618×32—682×39 —1,110.

Their salary scales at present are—

Scale A: £615×43—1480 plus £39;

Scale B: £615×62—1850 plus £39 if officer is under 21 years or £52 if he is 21 years or over.

It is not possible to isolate the portion of the increases in the salary scales of social welfare officers which is attributable to increases in the cost of living.

Has the Minister received complaints that these people are very overworked and that because of the small number doing this job, they must work excessive hours in order to try to complete the schedule? That is why there is such a long delay in having claims investigated.

I am not aware of any such complaint but the Minister for Social Welfare may be.

Is the Minister not aware that because of the decentralisation organised by the present Minister for Social Welfare——

Vote Lipper.

We did. We shook ye. The poor old Minister is shook. Because of the work that has been put on social welfare officers because of the decentralisation you have carried out——

That does not arise on this question.

——these people are being held up for months.

No.

The question relates to salaries only.

We say the salary is too small because they have to do very much work outside their ordinary hours.

That is a different matter.

They do not think so.