asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the basis on which it is considered that 41/- unemployment assistance plus a possible 10/- or 15/- home assistance is sufficient to keep a family of eight or ten persons in Dublin City.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Assistance in Dublin City.
The rates of unemployment assistance are fixed, having regard to all the relevant circumstances, in relation to the amount which the Exchequer can reasonably be expected to provide.
The amount payable by way of home assistance is decided by the public assistance authority and is not restricted by legislation.
In the type of case referred to by the Deputy, children's allowances would, of course, also be payable.
Is the Minister aware that the new manager of the Board of Assistance has given instructions to his home assistance officers to reduce the amounts?
Surely that is a separate matter.
Is the Minister also aware that at least from £5 to £6 is paid to persons in the same category in England and Northern Ireland?
We do not pay our social welfare in England and Northern Ireland.
But their stomachs are not different from ours.