asked the Taoiseach the average number of males in insurable employment as derived from sales of social welfare insurance stamps in 1965 and 1966, in the form of a reply of 12th November 1964.
Written Answers. - Males in Insurable Employment.
239.
The average number of males in insurable agricultural employment as derived from sales of social insurance stamps in the twelve months ended 31 March, 1965 and 1966 are estimated at about 45,000 and 43,000 respectively. The figures are subject to the qualifications stated on pages 21 and 22 of Economic Statistics, Budget 1964 and, in addition, the estimates are affected by the fact that following the change in rates of social insurance stamps introduced in January, 1964 sales of stamps in respect of late stamping for male agricultural workers can only very tentatively be distinguished from sales in respect of certain categories of voluntary contributors. Because of these limitations the derived estimates may not be strictly comparable and are not dependable in assessing year to year fluctuations in the level of agricultural employment.