asked the Minister for Social Welfare the estimated number of death grants which will be paid in 1981; and the approximate gross cost.

493.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare the approximate additional cost of increasing the death grant in 1981 from 1 April to (a) £200 and (b) £500.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 492 and 493 together. It is estimated that 7,150 death grants will be paid in 1981 at an approximate gross cost of £520,000. The estimated additional cost of increasing the death grant in 1981 from 1 April to (a) £200 and (b) £500 would have been £1,040,000 and £2,6000,000 respectively.