Vol. 458 No. 2
13 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of unemployed on which his 1995 estimates of expenditure are based; the number of unemployed as shown by the most recent monthly figures; and the plans, if any, he has to provide for the additional costs involved. [16744/95]
The Social Welfare estimates of expenditure on unemployment for 1995 are based on an average live register forecast of 266,000, as announced by the Minister for Finance on budget day. The Department of Finance revised the 1995 live register forecast upwards to 274,000 at mid-year. The live register figure may need further revision in the light of recent trends.
The payment of the Christmas bonus this year, which is not provided for in the published Estimate, will necessitate a Supplementary Estimate. Any other changes on the Social Welfare Vote will be taken into account in determining the additional amount required for 1995.
Will the Minister agree that, given the figure of 266,000 which was budgeted for and the most recent figure of 283,000, there is an increase in the order of 17,000 which will cost an extra sum of approximately £50 million to £60 million? Will he also agree that this is a sad commentary on the performance of the rainbow coalition Government over the past 12 months? Is he now advising that there will be a supplementary budget to——
Estimate.
——cater for the additional costs of the additional people unemployed?
I indicated in my reply that a Supplementary Estimate is required to cover the cost of the Christmas bonus. I also indicated that if there are any further expenditure requirements by the Department for the purpose of maintaining our schemes for 1995, those additional costs will be included in that Supplementary Estimate.
There will be a supplementary budget because there are additional costs involved. Will the Minister agree that in his tenure in office over the past 12 months, supporting the reduction in the VTOS scheme — there are also similar examples to this — is not helpful with regard to either the short or long-term unemployed. Many studies have shown that education is one of the better ways of gaining access to unemployment for the least well off in our community.
The VTOS scheme is a matter for the Department of Education. I suggest the Deputy puts down a question to the Minister for Education if he has inquiries about it.
