asked the Taoiseach if he has any information regarding the number of people in Ireland living at or below subsistence level at the latest available date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Living Standards.
8.
Comprehensive analyses of income levels for urban and rural households of different composition, together with corresponding objective definitions of subsistence levels for such households would be necessary to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
The latest information available concerning the income and expenditure patterns of households of different sizes and in different income groups and social groups is that given in the report on the Household Budget Inquiry 1965-66. The inquiry did not extend to any welfare assessment of the households involved.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not accept that this information should be available or is he not concerned with the matter?
The information is not available and is not obtainable. Therefore, I cannot give it to the House.
Surely it would be possible to find out how many people are living in poverty?
As I said last week, poverty is purely——
Relative.
——a subjective concept and there is no official statistical definition.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say if £3 15s a week is above or below subsistence level?
This is a statistical question and does not arise.
It is better than what the old age pension was when the Deputy was in office.