Social welfare increases and inflation norm
Woods asked whether social welfare increases would follow the consumer price index rather than the 6.5% norm. Bruton deferred details to the budget and said he could not confirm a statement made in his absence.
Would the Minister confirm that it is his intention, as stated in the House yesterday by the Minister of State at the Department of Social Welfare, to tie the social welfare benefits to the consumer price index and not to use this 6½ per cent norm in determining the increases which will be applicable to those on social welfare benefits?
Comment on this
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, I will be making announcements on the Government's policy on social welfare in the budget. It would be premature for me to make statements about what will be contained in the budget in advance of the budget. It would be most unusual and contrary to normal precedent. I am sure the Deputy will be quite happy to wait for the budget.