asked the Minister for Finance when the special grant for centenarians was last increased; and if it is proposed to increase it now.

The centenarians' bounty was last increased from £5 to £50 with effect from 1st August, 1970, and I am not considering increasing it further at present.

Could the Minister state what £50 in 1970 would represent today?

Since August, 1970, the cost of living has risen about one and a half times. The actual figures are £100 and £249.3.

Would the Minister not agree that during the election campaign Fianna Fáil said the cost of living had doubled since 1973? He now says it has increased by only one and a half times since 1970.

Since mid-August 1970.

What should they be receiving today were they to get the normal cost of living increases?

It depends on whether you are increasing the £5 or the £50. The figure of £5 was there for a very long time, and I was responsible for increasing it to £50. The Deputy will appreciate that it is not really intended as a measure of compensation. It is a gesture.

Would the Minister not agree that we do not have many centenarians and it might be another fine gesture on his part were he to double this grant?

I am not considering it at the moment.

How much does the Minister consider it would cost the country?

The amount would not be very great.

About how much?

The Deputy might be losing sight of the purpose of these grants.

The Minister in increasing this grant to £50 acknowledged that some recognition should be given to centenarians. The increasing of that grant was a magnanimous gesture on the part of the State. Would the Minister consider looking at this again in view of the fact that it would cost so little?

I do not propose doing it at the moment, although I may do it at some future date.