asked the Minister for Local Government the total number of agricultural employees in respect of whom the employment allowance under the agricultural grant was paid during 1966-67; if he can give the reason for the reduction; and if he is prepared to increase the £17 allowance to at least £50 per annum in order to contribute to the stabilisation of employment in agriculture.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Allowances.
15.
The total number of agricultural employees, including relatives, in respect of whom employment allowances were granted during 1966-67 was 57,034, which is in keeping with the pattern in relation to the numbers of such allowances since their introduction in 1933. With regard to the final part of the question, I would refer the Deputy to my reply of 10th instant to Questions Nos. 11 and 12 on the subject.