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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Nov 1969

Vol. 242 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Deserted Wives.

9.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether, pending the enactment of legislation to secure proper maintenance for deserted wives, he will urgently introduce measures to give adequate help to such wives, many of whom are suffering great hardship.

Proposals for legislation to provide financial assistance for deserted wives are being prepared in my Department. I hope to be in a position to introduce this legislation shortly. In the meantime, a woman who has been deserted by her husband can obtain home assistance from her local assistance authority, if her circumstances warrant it.

I am sure the Minister is aware of the very considerable hardship incurred by the people I refer to in this question, many of whom have to work continuously, as they are bereft of the assistance of a husband, until their health is seriously impaired. In the matter of home assistance, my experience is that it is sometimes difficult to secure and the allowances are totally inadequate, merely providing a subsistence level of existence.

This is a speech.

Pending the implementation of legislation, would the Minister be kind enough to intimate to the local authorities that they should deal with these unfortunate persons more generously in the interim period?

I have no reason to believe that they do not deal with them as generously as possible.

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