asked the Taoiseach the total numbers in the State of (a) widows (b) orphans and (c) widows with orphans; together with a breakdown under (c) of the family sizes.
Written Answers. - Widows and Orphans.
463.
At the census of population for 1971 a total of 129,793 widowed females was recorded. There are no data available from the census relating to the information sought under (b) and (c) of the question. However, data relating to persons in question who are beneficiaries under the widows' and orphans' pensions schemes administered by the Department of Social Welfare are given in the following table for 31 December 1977:
Widows' and Orphan's Pensions: Number of Beneficiaries at 31 December 1977.
|
No. |
|
|
Contributory Pensions: |
|
|
Widows |
63,732 |
|
Dependent children of windows |
19,500 |
|
Orphans |
821 |
|
Non-Contributory Pensions: |
|
|
Widows |
10,605 |
|
Dependent children of widows |
6,852 |
|
Orphans |
183 |
|
Total: |
|
|
Widows |
74,337 |
|
Dependent children of widows |
26,352 |
|
Orphans |
1,004 |
|
Total number of beneficiaries |
101,693 |