Peadar Clohessy
Question:41 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of people currently in receipt of deserted wife's payments who are in full-time employment. [9436/96]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
At the end of April 1996 there were 16,488 recipients of these payments—14,387 in receipt of deserted wife's benefit and 2,101 in receipt of deserted wife's allowance.
Figures are not readily available on the number of persons who are in full-time employment. However, it is estimated that between 15 per cent and 20 per cent of those in receipt of deserted wife's payments engage in some form of employment—the majority of which would be of a full-time nature.