asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state (a) the amount expended in respect of unemployment benefit and assistance in each of the years 1954 to 1956, and (b) the additional amount paid to date by (i) the State and (ii) contributors towards unemployment benefit as a result of the increase in social welfare benefits.
Written Answers. - Unemployment Benefit and Assistance.
The particulars asked for in part (a) of the question are as follows:—
|
Year ended 31st March |
Unemployment Benefit |
Unemployment Assistance |
|
£ |
£ |
|
|
1954 |
2,743,043 |
1,329,913 |
|
1955 |
2,387,955 |
1,226,733 |
|
1956 |
2,300,712 |
1,031,337 |
As regards part (b), the State contribution towards the social insurance scheme is related to the excess of expenditure over income of the Social Insurance Fund, out of which all benefits under the scheme are payable, and is not related to any particular benefit. Similarly, the ordinary rates of employment contributions payable by employed contributors and their employers are not referable to any particular benefit. It is not possible, therefore, to furnish the additional amounts paid to date towards unemployment benefit by (i) the State and (ii) contributors as a result of the recent increases in the rates of employment contributions and benefits.