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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Dec 1974

Vol. 276 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Deserted Wife's Benefit.

36.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware that his Department are treating receipt by a deserted wife of the appropriate portion of her husband's unemployment benefit as financial assistance from him for the purposes of determining the three months' qualifying period for eligibility for deserted wife's benefit; and if he will issue the necessary instruction to have this practice terminated forthwith.

If an increase of unemployment benefit is being paid in respect of a wife whose husband is not living with her, it can only be because her husband is regarded as satisfying the statutory condition for entitlement to such an increase, that is, that he is wholly or mainly maintaining her. Obviously in such circumstances the wife cannot at the same time be regarded as deserted for the purpose of deserted wife's benefit.

However, each case must be determined on its merits having regard to the facts. If the Deputy has a particular case in mind I shall be glad to have it examined if he will let me have the details.

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.

May I have your permission, Sir, to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of, I think, Question No. 17 on yesterday's Order Paper which deals with Cooley national school?

I will communicate with the Deputy but he might communicate to us the precise number of the question as soon as possible.

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