asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of widows in the State as of the latest available date in receipt of home assistance and the average amount paid to each widow.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Home Assistance Payments.
69.
The returns furnished to my Department by public assistance authorities showing the number of persons in receipt of home assistance do not distinguish widows from other recipients. Excluding wives dependent on their husbands, the total number of women in receipt of home assistance at the end of July last was 10,092. Payment of such assistance, which is made at the discretion of the appropriate public assistance authority, varies according to the circumstances in each case, and I have no information as to the average amount.