asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give particulars of the sale of agricultural social insurance stamps during each of the latest three years for which details are available, showing the amounts for each quarter year and the total for each year.
Written Answers. - Sale of Agricultural Social Insurance Stamps.
23.
As from the 5th January, 1953, when social insurance contributions became payable under the Social Welfare Act, 1952, the rate of contribution applicable to males employed in agriculture was 2/6d. The corresponding rate for females was 2/- but this rate also applied to females employed in private domestic service and to persons of either sex employed in sharefishing or as outworkers. These rates were increased to 3/2d. and 2/6d., respectively, as from 3rd September, 1956.
Owing to these complications, as already explained in replies given on 5th May, 1960, and 20th May, 1958, to previous questions on the same subject, the number of stamps sold at any time since the 5th January, 1953, in respect of the employment of females in agriculture cannot be stated. As regards stamps sold in respect of males employed in agriculture, the particulars for the latest three years for which details are available are those given on 5th May, 1960, in reply to Deputy Desmond's previous question.