Vol. 469 No. 7
143 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Social Welfare the amount which would have been paid out in each of the years 1995 and 1996 to the participants on the part-time job opportunities programme through social welfare payments if this programme did not exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18178/96]
The pilot programme commenced in June 1994 and will continue until 31 May 1997. There are 1,000 places dedicated to this programme.
It is estimated that my Department would have paid out in the region of £6.6 million, £3.7 million in 1995 and £2.9 million in 1996 to date, to participants of the part-time job opportunities programme, if this programme did not exist, and if the customers had continued to claim and be entitled to social welfare payments.
