asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will provide all deserted wives with an allowance regardless of age, if they qualify on means.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Deserted Wives Allowances.
14.
As I indicated in reply to a previous similar question, the working of the scheme of allowances for deserted wives, which has been in operation only since 1st October, 1970, is being kept under review with a view to effecting such improvements therein as experience may indicate are desirable and feasible.
Can the Minister say what was the reason for setting the age limit at which a deserted wife would be debarred from getting an allowance in view of the fact that she has no income whatsoever?
The qualification in the Act is that she is under 70 years of age and that she is deserted. If she is under 50 years of age she must have dependants. She does not get any allowance up to the age of 50 years unless she has dependants. Perhaps that age is too high. Experience will tell.
May I ask the Minister——
Might I point out to Deputies that we have 105 questions on the Order Paper. Many of these questions have been on the Order Paper for three weeks and have not been reached.
This is a very important one.
Other questions are just as important.
The Deputy is entitled to ask a supplementary question——
That is a matter for the Chair.
——if it is relevant.
That is a matter for the Chair too. Does Deputy Finn wish to put a question?
I asked the Minister why did he set the age limit of 50 years for a deserted wife with no dependants. I want to know can the local authority pay an allowance to this woman if she has no income?
Yes. If the Deputy is referring to home assistance the circumstances of her case can be taken into account in the ordinary way. We fixed the age at 50 years for widows with no dependants because we thought it was reasonable. The Deputy must remember that a young widow with no dependants is pretty much in the same position as a single girl.
Did the Minister not change that some time ago?
No, we did not.