Vol. 573 No. 1
98 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way in which projected unemployment figures at the end of 2003 are likely to differ from figures suggested in the 2003 Book of Estimates; and, if a difference exists, the way in which additional funding that might be available is likely to be used within her Department. [24296/03]
The unemployment expenditure figures at the end of 2003 are likely to be lower than the figures in the 2003 Book of Estimates by about €30 million in the case of unemployment assistance and by about €10 million in the case of unemployment benefit. These emerging savings are due almost entirely to the performance of the live register being better than had been expected. The figures in the Book of Estimates were based on a projected average live register of 179,000 whereas the latest indications are that the average for the year will outturn at around 174,000.
The emerging unemployment assistance and unemployment benefit savings will be available to help finance emerging excesses on a number of the other schemes being administered by my Department.
The emerging excesses are due mainly to trends in recipient numbers being greater than had been expected and the cost of Christmas bonus payments for social welfare customers.
