asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not yet received deserted wife's benefit for which she applied more than six months ago.
Written Answers. - Deserted Wife's Benefit.
125.
The person concerned has been awarded deserted wife's allowance at the maximum weekly rate of £52.30 with effect from 19 August 1982. This is the rate payable to a woman under 66 years of age with two qualified children. An order book payable from 5 May 1983 has been forwarded to the designated post office for collection by the claimant and she has been notified accordingly.
A payable order in respect of arrears from 19 August 1982 to 4 May 1983, less the amount of supplementary welfare allowance which she received from the Southern Health Board for that period, was issued to her on 6 May 1983.
The delay in deciding this case arose from the many efforts that were made to have the husband interviewed in order to obtain his version of the circumstances. This is a normal requirement in this type of case.