asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the State grants to women generally with a view to having a more equitable system introduced, bearing in mind the limitations on the payment of allowances to single women.

Social welfare payments to all recipients, both men and women, are regularly reviewed, as the Deputy is no doubt aware, and very substantial improvements have been made in those payments since this Government took office. Particular attention has been paid to the position of women in relation to access to social welfare benefits and allowances and special provision has been made for them in recent years by way of alterations to existing schemes and the introduction of new schemes. Considerable progress has been made and in this connection may I remind the Deputy that of 15 recommendations made by the Commission on the Status of Women regarding the elimination of discrimination against women in the social welfare code, eight have been fully implemented and three partly implemented. Of the remaining four recommendations one would, if implemented, worsen the position of widows by importing a condition of age or of responsibility for dependants; the other three will be kept in view in relation to any future development of the services for which my Department are responsible but, although it is my hope that I will be able to eliminate discrimination where it exists, I regret that I am not in a position to give the Deputy any timetable in the matter.

Offhand, could the Parliamentary Secretary say how many single women draw the allowance now?

I have not got that figure and I would not like to give one off the top of my head. I will convey the information to the Deputy.

14.