asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of (a) applicants and (b) beneficiaries for (i) deserted wives benefit and (ii) deserted wives allowance since the inception of the scheme.
Written Answers. - Deserted Wives Benefit.
265.
As payment of deserted wives allowance may in some cases be made pending determination of entitlement to deserted wives benefit statistics are not kept showing separately the total number of applicants and beneficiaries for deserted wives benefit and deserted wives allowance since the inception of the schemes.
The total figures for both schemes combined are, however, as follows:—(a) applicants, 11,150; (b) beneficiaries, 7,893;
The number of recipients at present are:—(i) deserted wives benefit, 2,640; (ii) deserted wives allowance, 2,849.