Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

The Minister has studiously avoided answering my question. The Vincentian Partnership carried out worthwhile research into minimum essential budgets. In this regard, it added up the weekly expenses of people in different categories and measured this against their social welfare income. It found that the cost of living for a single pensioner is equal to approximately 73% of a couple's living expenses. Did the Minister read this research on which many agencies are basing their work? If so, does she accept it? Also, will she then accept that €7.70 per week is not enough to cope with the costs of living alone for pensioners?

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