asked the Taoiseach if he will give particulars of any net increase in the volume of whole-time employment where insured workers are concerned since the Government's Programme for Economic Expansion was published in November, 1958.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Volume of Whole-time Employment.
4.
In the nine months ended 30th September, 1959, the number of insurance stamps sold amounted to 18,616,500 as compared with 18,271,200 in the nine months ended 30th September, 1958 was 345,300 which crease over 1958 was 345,300 which presents an average increase of 8,854 insured workers per week throughout the nine months as compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.
As the annual exchange of insurance cards for male workers, beginning in the month of January, is apparently the occasion of considerable purchases of insurance stamps in arrear, it has been usual to associate the March quarter figures with those of the previous nine months to provide a better-timed picture of employment trends, as I did on 11th November in reply to a Question in this House about the numbers in insurable employment over the past four years. On this basis a better idea of the postNovember 1958 position would probably be gained by comparing insurance stamp purchases in the six months ended 30th September, 1959, with the corresponding period in 1958. Stamp purchases were 11,719,800 and 11,276,400, respectively, showing an increase of 443,400 in the 1959 period. This is equivalent to an increase of 17,052 in the average number of insured workers per week in April to September, 1959, as compared with the similar period in 1958.
Will the Taoiseach say why those figures were not published in the series issued a few days ago? Will he also say whether it is now his contention that the sales of insurance stamps are always to operate a quarter late?
No. The point which I am trying to make is that those who seek to make calculations as to employment trends from insurance stamp sales would be better advised to do it on the basis of the financial year rather than the calendar year because abnormal conditions tend to exist at the beginning of the calendar year.
Would the Taoiseach say what account was taken in those statistics of the increase in the upward limit for those bound to have their cards stamped, in the legislation enacted at the instance of the Minister for Social Welfare this time last year? That is bound to cause an increase in the number of stamps being sold.
Will the Taoiseach answer my question now? He said he would state what steps he would take to remedy the situation.
The Government policy of economic expansion has already been published as a White Paper.
As far as the Government's policy is concerned, will the Taoiseach state are the people able to eat it?
Seventeen thousand more workers are now eating better than they were last year.
That is not true.
Will the Taoiseach state why the elaborate statement issued to the Press the other day was not made available to Deputies, and is he aware that Deputies have difficulty in getting copies except by going to the Library?
What statement is this?
The statement issued in the Irish Press, and in the other dailies, that there is to be a considerable infusion of money into a large range of industry and that the Government proposed to issue a statement every six months. That was not circulated to Deputies or members of the Oireachtas nor was it sent to the Dáil to be made available to Deputies.
I was not aware that it had not been circulated. I shall arrange that that shall be done.
Do I understand that the Taoiseach will also arrange that the half-yearly statement will be circulated?
Yes.
He is a brave man.
Will the Taoiseach answer my part of the Question?
He has not answered me.