asked the Taoiseach by how much the cost of living is expected to rise as a result of the recent budget.

An increase in average prices equal to the increased rates of duty on tobacco, beer and spirits introduced in the recent Budget would be equivalent to a rise of 1.65 points in the consumer price index, base August, 1947=100. It is not possible to assess precisely the effect on the index of the proposed increases in the rate of wholesale tax and post office charges but it is estimated that when fully operative these increases are equivalent to a rise of about one point (base August, 1947=100).

Will the Parliamentary Secretary say if there are any proposals to compensate those in receipt of social welfare benefits for this increase?

It would be a matter for consideration in the next Budget.

In the next Budget? That is about five months away.

We gave them an increase in the last Budget.

You took more off them than you gave them.

We did not.

Indeed, you did.

You were not anticipating the mini-Budget then?

No.