andMr. Timmons asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total weekly cost to the Exchequer of unemployment benefit, pay-related benefit and unemployment assistance.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Payments Cost.
48.
The information sought by the Deputies in relation to unemployment benefit is not available. This, like the other social insurance benefits, is payable out of the social insurance fund. The fund is financed by contributions by employers, employees and the Exchequer but the amount of the Exchequer contribution is not apportioned between the different benefits. No part of the cost of the pay-related benefit scheme is borne by the Exchequer.
Unemployment assistance is paid directly from the Exchequer but the amount varies from week to week. The amount paid for the week ended, 31st January, 1975, which is the latest week for which the information is available, was approximately £574,000.