Vol. 385 No. 1
asked the Minister for Labour the plans he has to increase the level of payment for the Social Employment Scheme from £60 per week to keep in line with inflation; the percentage terms in the Programme for National Recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
38.
asked the Minister for Labour in view of the continued depreciation of the value of the allowance paid to participants in the Social Employment Scheme due to inflation and the fact that participants are denied free fuel, free EC beef and other benefits, if he will increase the allowance payable under the scheme.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 38 together.
There are no funds available to allow for an increase in the allowance payable under the Social Employment Scheme in 1988. With a given budget, any increases in allowances would have to be at the expense of the number of participants. I am, however, reviewing the position for 1989.
