asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state in respect of the week ended 29th September, 1973, the number of persons in receipt of home assistance subsidy in the following categories: (a) contributory old age pensions, (b) non-contributory old age pensions, (c) widow's contributory pension, (d) widow's non-contributory pension, (e) unemployment benefit, (f) unemployment assistance, (g) disability benefit, (h) disabled person's maintenance allowance, (i) deserted wife's allowance, (j) unmarried mother's allowance, and (k) prison cases; and the amount of money involved in each category.

The information sought by the Deputy is not available at present in my Department. However, all public assistance authorities have been requested to supply the required figures. When the information has been received I will have it conveyed to the Deputy.