asked the Minister for Social Welfare the estimated number of deserted wives in County Cork currently receiving (a) deserted wife's benefit and (b) deserted wife's allowance.

Statistics of recipients of deserted wife's allowance and deserted wife's benefit by county are not kept by my Department. It is estimated, however, that there are approximately 250 cases each in which payment of deserted wife's allowance and deserted wife's benefit are made by my Department in County Cork.