The motion is: "That this Bill do now pass."
FOURTH STAGE. - FIFTH STAGE.
AN CATHAOIRLEACH
I should like to call attention to what I understood was stated by the Minister, that the amount of benefit distributed under the Bill was, in one case, £400,000, and in another £40,000, or a total of about £500,000. From the Estimate that we have been furnished with I observe that the cost of this Insurance Commission is £348,000, so that in order to distribute £500,000 or £600,000 we have to pay £348,000. That is the point I would like some information on. In the commencement of the proceedings to-day I asked for some figures as to the cost of the Act compared with the benefits distributed. These are the only figures that I have got and the expenses appear to be abnormally high compared with the benefits.
I think, A Chathaoirligh, the Senator did not hear exactly what I said. The last audited accounts showed that £460,000 were paid for Sickness and Disablement Benefit; also £90,000 for Free Medical Benefits, and £40,000 for Sanatorium Benefits, the whole sum amounting to £590,000. The £348,000 referred to by the Senator is a State contribution towards the payment of benefits, plus the cost of central administration.
Question put: "That the Bill be now passed."
Agreed.