asked the Minister for Health if he is now in a position to give an estimate in respect of each county and county borough of the number of (a) persons insured under the Social Welfare Act, 1952, (b) adult persons whose yearly family means are less than £600, and (c) adult persons whose yearly family means are derived wholly or mainly from farming and the valuation of whose farms is £50 or less.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare Insurance Statistics.
I would refer the Deputy to the replies which I gave on the 23rd and 29th October, 1952, to similar questions from him. No further information of the type in question has since become available.
Does the Minister expect to have the information available before the Second Reading of the Health Bill?
No, I am afraid not.
Does he not consider that it would be helpful to have that information?
I admit that it would be helpful, but it is very hard to get it.
Surely the Minister could get the number of persons affected under these heads?
I am doing my best to get all the data before the Bill is introduced.