Brendan Howlin
Ceist:330 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, (a) a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who has been assessed with means of £25 derived from board and lodgings provided to him by his brother, finds himself with no alternative but to seek separate private rented accommodation because he cannot afford to remain at his brother's residence on the rate of unemployment assistance payable to him at present and (b) on living alone he will become entitled to unemployment assistance at the full rate plus a rent subsidy from the health board at a considerably increased cost to the State; his views on whether his Department's present means test formula is cost effective in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter.