asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider making a more generous tax allowance to working wives.

Alteration of the amounts of the personal allowances and reliefs for income tax purposes is primarily a budgetary matter to be considered at the appropriate time. The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot, at this stage, give any indication of what proposals the forthcoming budget statement may or may not contain.

The Minister is not in a position to give any indication of proposals in connection with this matter? Is he considering the matter?

The Minister is considering a multitude of problems left to him because of the neglect of the previous administration.