asked the Taoiseach whether with a view to ascertaining the extent of the problem of social welfare beneficiaries living alone particularly aged, infirm or disabled persons, he will seek information on the matter in the census to be taken on 17th April, 1966.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Beneficiaries.
1.
Certain data related to the kind of problem mentioned by the Deputy will emerge from the census of population to be taken in April 1966, e.g. the number of aged people living in households of different sizes and compositions in various localities, the number of persons unemployed, their normal occupation in industry etc. The census of population is not, however, an appropriate enquiry at which to engage in investigations in depth into the problems of particular groups of the population and is better used as a "frame" on the basis of which to design sample enquiries into particular social problems. Adequately to carry out such enquiries requires a much more detailed questionnaire and more skilled investigators than it is possible to utilise at a census of population which must cover all households in the State.
The Parliamentary Secretary is aware that last week the Minister for Health indicated that his Department had no figures which would show the percentage of social welfare beneficiaries who were living on their own? While the last census shows that 10.4 per cent of the population over 70 live on their own, there is no indication from the census as to how many of those people are in receipt of social welfare assistance in one form or another. Would not a simple question as to whether a person was in receipt of old age pension or other social allowance give the information which is sought?
That is the same question all over again and the same answer applies.
It is a simple way of doing it.