asked the Minister for Finance if the published statistics of State aid to agriculture include the subsidy under the Social Welfare Act, 1952, mentioned by the Minister for Social Welfare on 4th June, 1952.
Written Answers. - State Aid to Agriculture.
40.
The published statistics of State aid to agriculture do not take into account the lower rates of contributions required from farmers and agricultural workers under Social Welfare legislation.
41.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if in relation to State aid to agriculture he will indicate the annual cost of the subsidy under the Social Welfare Act, 1952, mentioned by him on 4th June, 1952.
The ordinary rate of contribution payable in respect of a male employee is 10s. 6d. per week. The rate payable in respect of a male employed in agriculture is 6s. 0d. The loss in contribution income in a year due to the male agricultural worker's rate being lower than the ordinary rate is approximately £570,000.
The rate of contribution in respect of a female employed in agriculture is also less than the ordinary rate for a female employee. It is not possible to estimate the corresponding loss in this case as separate figures of stamp sales for female agricultural employment are not available.