Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Oct 1994

Vol. 446 No. 2

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefit.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

50 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has been informed, in relation to an application for deserted wife's benefit, that she must prove that her husband left of his own volition in view of the fact that the social welfare officer interviewed the husband; if his attention has been drawn to the hardships currently caused to this person and her children by virtue of the fact that she is dependant on her estranged husband for mortgage payments and household bills: and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1806/94]

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

To receive deserted wife's benefit a woman must satisfy certain qualifying conditions. One of these conditions is that she must be deserted by her husband. To be regarded as deserted, her husband must have left her of his own volition, or his conduct must have resulted in her leaving him.

The deciding officer decides matters mainly on the basis of information supplied by the applicant and her spouse, supported by any available corroborative evidence. Both the applicant and her husband have been interviewed as to the circumstances leading to their separation. In order to prove desertion, the person concerned has been asked by my Department to supply further evidence in support of her claims. On the basis of her response to this request, a decision will be made on her application and she will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible. In the meantime, in order to meet any short-term financial hardships that the person concerned may have, she should contact the community welfare officer at her nearest health centre for assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.