asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will extend the cheaper electricity scheme to widows in the lower income group.

Widow pensioners who are aged 68 or over and fulfil the conditions of the scheme are already eligible for the free electricity allowance. Extension of the scheme to include widows under age 68 in the lower income group is not at present contemplated.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the scheme is available at an earlier age to British pensioners living here?

That is a separate matter.

There have been a number of things available in Britain over a long number of years which were not available here although, fortunately, we are bridging that gap.

This is available here and not in Britain.

10.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if, in view of the escalating cost of electricity, he will extend the free electricity scheme to include further groups of social welfare beneficiaries.

The free electricity allowance scheme, administered by the Department, is designed primarily for persons over pensionable age. The scheme was substantially extended by the reduction of pensionable age to 69 and 68 in July, 1973, and July, 1974, respectively. Extension of the scheme to include further groups of social welfare beneficiaries is not at present contemplated.

Might I repeat the supplementary question I have already put to the Parliamentary Secretary and ask him would he not agree that the present very high cost of electricity is a particularly severe burden on all social welfare beneficiaries but particularly those on social assistance? Would he not favourably consider devising some scheme which would enable him to provide free electricity for others over and above those at present included in the scheme?

I am aware that the rate of inflation has affected people in the categories mentioned by the Deputy. As clearly indicated in the last two budgetary measures undertaken by the present Government, they are committed to ensuring that the least possible hardship be inflicted on people in this category by inflation. That is just one aspect of it, Deputy.

Might I point out, though, that while——

A question, please, Deputy.

——the Parliamentary Secretary has stated that the Government have said that they are committed to alleviating hardships, might I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he would not regard the present high cost of electricity as a particularly severe burden on those at present in receipt of social welfare benefits and assistance?

I accept that.

11.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is his intention to increase the number of units allowed to eligible persons under the free electricity scheme.

A further increase in the number of free units allowed under the free electricity scheme for eligible persons aged 68 years of age in receipt of social welfare type pensions, now 200 units and 300 units for each two-monthly period in summer and winter respectively, is not at present contemplated.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that, with increased cost of electricity and the fact that many people use many more units than the amount they are allowed free, he should consider some alleviation of the hardship caused to this section of the community?

The answer to that used to be: it is a budgetary matter.

We are having a repetition of questions.

Thank you, Deputy Brennan.

Now that we have a budget every day of the week——

If the Parliamentary Secretary considers that it is a budgetary matter—if that is his reply —in view of the answers he has given to the last four questions—he is the man concerned in the last few weeks with the number of people on the poverty line—would he not agree that he is adding to that list of people?

No.

The Parliamentary Secretary can answer that one now the Labour Party conference is over.

If the Deputy insists. The Deputy mentioned the number of people in the poverty category. I will tell the Deputy straight. I regard the Administration and its attitude towards those people consistently over the years as the main recruiting sergeants for the army of poverty stricken in this country.

Question No. 12 please.

The number is increasing at the rate of 1,000 a week and the Government are doing nothing about it.

The Deputy should not be so ridiculous.

Let us proceed with the business of the House in an orderly fashion.

It did not happen when we were in office.

Deputies, please allow questions to proceed.