asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is proposed to change his title to that of Minister for Social Security, in view of the poor-house connotation of the word "welfare".
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministerial Title Change.
19.
I do not accept that the term "social welfare" necessarily has a poor law connotation and a change in the title as suggested is not proposed.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that the word "security" would be preferable to "welfare"? It would indicate to people that they are getting their benefits by way of entitlement rather than charity.
I do not believe the word "welfare" has any poor law connotation. It is normal for a man to have the welfare of his family at heart. It is normal for a man to have the welfare of his community, his country or even his political party at heart. If the words "social security" were to be taken literally they would restrict the activities of the Department which is engaged on such matters as free travel, free electricity, school means and so on. I fully accept the spirit in which the Deputy tabled the question.
Is "social security" not the term commonly in use in European circles and in Commission terminology?
Frequently they do not compare with our set up. I have a list here of various titles. In Austria they have The Federal Ministry of Social Administration.
How did Austria get into the Community?
I am speaking of European countries. In Denmark it is the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. In France it is called the Ministry of Public Health and Social Security, in Germany the Ministry of Labour.
The French are a very civilised people.
I have always regarded them as such.
I am all in favour of the French.
For many reasons.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that many people have now come into the social welfare bracket because of low incomes and the rising cost of living. Whether we like it or not people do look down on the name. "Social security" might be a better term.
I agree that there has been a very large extension due to the lowering of the pension age, the elimination of the income limit, the easement of the means test.
(Interruptions.)
There are a number of people, particularly small farmers, whose incomes are not sufficient to give them a reasonable standard of living and they have to accept this type of social welfare. If it were changed to "social security"——
Question No. 20. Let us make some progress.
If we could manage to extend social security coverage to the self-employed it might meet the Deputy's wishes.
Deputy Desmond said there are only 80,000 unemployed. Is that true?