Listening to the Minister's initial reply I thought for a brief moment that I was caught in a time warp and that the Minister had abolished poverty. Can the Minister inform the House as to what in his opinion would be the minimum income required by a person living alone in order to provide a decent standard of living?

That seems to be a separate question, Deputy.

It is pertinent.

Perhaps the Deputy would table a question along those lines.

In order to keep things somewhat in perspective, I would like to point out to the Deputy that the personal rate of payment for an old age pensioner here at present, even allowing for the sterling differential, is 17 per cent higher than the rate payable in Northern Ireland. In tackling the problem of poverty I think the Government took a major step this year. Under the Programme for National Recovery the Government are committed to protect all beneficiaries——

The Minister is ignoring the big problem.

——and to direct extra resources to those in greatest need. The Deputies can be assured that that is what the Government will be doing.