asked the Minister for Social Welfare why unemployment assistance is paid at different rates in urban and rural areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployment Assistance.
31.
The higher scale of rates of unemployment assistance payable in certain urban areas was designed to take account of the higher living expenses of recipients in those areas.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that in certain rural areas, due to the absence of supermarkets and shops which supply cut-price goods, the cost of necessaries is relatively higher than it is in city areas and an adjustment upwards in these areas might be proper?
I would not agree.