The question asked about contingencies. Is the Minister aware that a very serious contingency has newly arisen with regard to a couple over 70 years of age on a non-contributory old age pension of £40 per week — £20 per week each — who are living on their bank savings of £270 per month? Since the introduction of the DIRT tax, that amount has been reduced to £156 per month, a drop of £30 per week and they must wait until April to claim back this DIRT tax. The period between now and April is a very serious one for people in that situation. Could the Minister make some special arrangement to deal with such a contingency which is not created by moneylenders but by the Government in applying their DIRT tax to elderly people? This is something with which we disagree. Can the Minister suggest how these people could otherwise bridge that gap in the intervening period?

That question is very different from the one which was put down and I could not answer it. A separate question would have to be put down.

The question asked if the Minister would make special arrangements to meet a special contingency regarding loans from lending sharks. This raises the question of meeting contingencies generally. I want to draw the Minister's attention to this case.

The Chair feels that if all contingencies, which might run into hundreds, were brought up individually, it would be just out of the question to deal with them all here.

I can supply the Minister with the details, but I wanted to draw to her attention that this is happening as a result of the Government's DIRT tax. It requires action on the part of the Government.

I am calling Deputy Skelly.