asked the Minister for Finance the number of wives of (a) unemployed persons, (b) old age pensioners and (c) disabled persons in County Donegal who may qualify for the £9.60 per week.
538.
Written Answers. - Wives' Tax Allowance.
537.
asked the Minister for Finance the number of housewives in (a) the Glenties electoral area and (b) the south west Donegal constituency who may qualify for the £9.60 per week.
539.
asked the Minister for Finance the number of wives who will qualify for the £9.60 per week in County Galway.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 537 to 539, inclusive, together. Statistics are not available which would enable the information requested by the Deputy to be given.
540.
asked the Minister for Finance if the special payment of £9.60 will be paid in full to a wife in the home who has a bank deposit account.
The possession of a bank account does not debar a housewife working at home from receiving this payment. Provided that the wife's income does not exceed £1,040 per annum, and that the combined taxable income of the husband and wife is £2,000 or more, she will be eligible for the £9.60.
541.
asked the Minister for Finance if the special payment of £9.60 will be paid to a wife working in the home where the husband is not in employment.
No. Short-term social welfare payments such as unemployment benefit, pay-related benefit, disability benefit and social assistance payments are not taxable and, therefore, the conditions of eligibility would not be met. However, all social welfare recipients will benefit from the proposed compensatory increases in social welfare payments.