I move:
That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 1977, namely:—
Vote No.:—
41 (Labour).
The Supplementary Estimate will be circulated today.
Supplementary Estimate, 1977: Leave to Introduce.
I should like to ask the Minister what is involved in the Supplementary Estimate in view of the fact that the full Estimate has not been introduced yet. I should like to know whether or not this comes under subhead P of the Estimate, according to the Book of Estimates.
This is a Supplementary Estimate which arises in respect of the Employment Incentive Scheme and the Premium Employment Programme and it arises under subheads BI, D, P, R and S.
Is it not correct to say that the Dáil did not have to provide money for that Estimate, that this money was being paid by the Minister for Labour, according to recent newspaper advertisements? When will this Supplementary Estimate be discussed?
It will be taken next week. I might observe that the necessity for this Estimate is to conform with a number of technical requirements and to facilitate the immediate payment of these sums involved it is necessary that the Estimate should be passed.
Will an opportunity be given to the House to broaden the scope of these schemes? Why has there been a change of procedure when one considers that a Bill was introduced in 1975 for the previous programme and now we are having this introduced by way of Supplementary Estimate? Is there no way that this House can be given an opportunity of improving on these schemes?
All we are concerned with now is leave to introduce. The matter can be discussed later.
I presume that it will be by agreement with the Whips?
That is the usual condition.
If the Opposition wound up the debate on the Finance Bill the House might be able to discuss something else.
Question put and agreed to.