asked the Minister for Social Welfare the gross national product and the percentage thereof devoted to social welfare on an estimated comparable basis in respect of (a) the Republic, (b) England and Wales, (c) Scotland, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) the member countries of the EEC.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Expenditure.
32.
Gross expenditure on the income maintenance services for which my Department is responsible represents an estimated 7.0 per cent of the gross national product in the current year.
Comparative figures of this nature published by international organisations normally include, in addition to income maintenance payments, expenditure on health services, public service pensions, et cetera. A study published in 1971 by the EEC Commission gives comparative figures of total social security expenditure as a percentage of gross national product in 27 countries. The figure given for Ireland is 10.2 per cent and for the United Kingdom 12.7 per cent. The figures for the member countries of the EEC are as follows: Federal Republic of Germany, 17.5 per cent; France, 16.6 per cent; Italy, 16.2 per cent; Netherlands, 16.6 per cent; Belgium, 16.5 per cent; Luxembourg, 16.3 per cent.
Separate figures are not published in respect of the areas England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, mentioned in the question.
So we are the lowest of all.
Could the Minister say why, if these countries can manage to re-distribute on this basis, ranging from 16.2 per cent to 17.5 per cent, it is not possible for us to improve on a figure of 6.2 per cent, especially bearing in mind that one of the countries is Italy?
That is a separate question.
The fact of the matter is that the standard of living in Italy is much lower than it is here.
Is it?
Yes, it is.
We agree it is not a great deal higher anyway. Why is their share 6.5 per cent higher than ours?
Our rate of increase in the last number of years is the highest rate of increase.
It would need to be. That shows what level it was at under Fianna Fáil.
It goes to show it must have been horribly low at one time.
Is Fianna Fáil only six years in office? I think the Minister is about 15 years in office. Fianna Fáil have been so long around they are just stuck in the mud.