asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the amount disbursed by the Dublin Board of Assistance for home assistance (a) in the years 1956-57 and 1957-58, and (b) so far this year and for a similar period last year.

The amount of home assistance disbursed by the Dublin Board of Assistance in the year 1956-57 was £160,078, and in the year 1957-58 was £177,216. For the period April 1957 to October 1957 (inclusive) the amount was £102,982; and for the period April 1958 to October 1958 (inclusive) £84,743.

Is the Minister aware that the estimate for the next year is less by £30,000? Can he inform us if that reduction is due to improved conditions or to a wholesale reduction of benefits and a refusal in the case of thousands? I have a case here of a girl getting 13/6 a week——

The Deputy is not asking a supplementary question. He is making a speech.

I want to know if conditions are improving, because the estimates are down by £30,000 for next year.

The administration of home assistance is a matter for Dublin Corporation.

On your instructions. That is my information. Was a direction given?

That information is wrong. No direction was given.

A hint is all they need.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that the administration is vested in the manager and not in any elected representative?

Correct.

Both Deputies are members of Dublin Corporation.

And we have no power.

The jurisdiction is vested solely in the Dublin City Manager.

That is an entirely separate matter.