Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

As I said initially, this is only one of a number of research models. Many models and figures were presented by the various groups I met in recent weeks. They each come up with different measures. One of them is the Vincentian minimum essential budget, which is only one such method. It proposes an income level of €265 per week for an unemployed single male. An alternative, which is frequently put forward, is that of 60% of the median income, which proposes an income level of €223. Another is the benchmark model which proposes an income level of 30% gross average industrial earnings. Different people use different models. Therefore, it is not correct to say that any one model is better than another.

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