asked the Minister for Social Welfare the real expenditure increase or decrease in the over-all Government expenditure in his Department and allowing for the expected over-all inflation rate of 18 per cent.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Department Expenditure Trend.
88.
Excluding administration costs total expenditure in my Department in 1979 was £659.66 million. Total expenditure in 1980 is, at this stage, estimated at £813.27 million. This represents an increase of £153.61 million or 23.3 per cent. Thus the increase in expenditure in 1980 over 1979 over and above the increase which would be necessitated by an inflation rate of 18 per cent is £34.87 million.
Why was the Minister not able to give a reply like that when he was Minister for Health five minutes ago?
Because we have excluded the administrative costs here. It is a more straightforward situation.