asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of persons being paid unemployment assistance at the rate of 99p per week or less; and the cost to his Department of making such payments.

Statistics are not maintained in such a way as would enable the information requested by the Deputy to be furnished.

Is the Minister aware that some unemployed persons are required to call to unemployment exchanges to collect sums as small as 50p per week and they refuse to do so because it costs more in bus fare? If he is so aware, would he take action to ensure that a minimum benefit is paid?

When unemployment benefit is means tested the figure can be low. To ask somebody to call for 50p or 90p seems ludicrous. I take the Deputy's point.

9.