asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of women in receipt of deserted wife's allowance and prisoner's wife's allowance for the years 1984 to 1986 inclusive; and the cost of both services to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
7.
Deserted wife's allowance was introduced in October 1970 and the cost to date is about £81 million. Prisoner's wife's allowance was introduced in July 1974 and the cost to date is about £6.8 million. In relation to the remaining information sought by the Deputy the relevant details are set out in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report. The following is the tabular statement:
|
Scheme |
Year |
Recipients at 31 December |
Cost £m |
|
Deserted Wife's |
1984 |
3,653 |
10.5 |
|
Allowance |
1985 |
3,965 |
12.7 |
|
1986 |
4,445 |
14.8 |
|
|
Prisoner's Wife's |
1984 |
256 |
0.9 |
|
Allowance |
1985 |
260 |
1.3 |
|
1986 |
276 |
1.2 |
The Minister indicated some time ago that he was aware of abuses in regard to the deserted wife's allowances. Perhaps the Minister could indicate further on the extent of the abuses which have come into his Department.
I am aware that it is a separate question. I am aware of certain abuses in that area. I am preparing legislation which will be required to provide for recoupment, as the Deputy may remember, from husbands of part of the payments made by the State. This would not involve the wife, it is a question of pursuit of the husband.
Just a brief supplementary. The time has come to deal with Priority Questions.
It is of vital importance that we alleviate any anxiety where deserted wives are concerned and we should be talking about those husbands who fail to face up to their responsibilities.
I should like to assure the Deputy that as far as the deserted wife is concerned I agree with him in the desirability of avoiding any further anxiety than that which is occasioned by the desertion.
I must proceed now to deal with Priority Questions.