asked the Taoiseach if he will state the number of extra jobs provided in 1959 as a result of the Government's scheme for economic expansion.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Scheme for Economic Expansion: Extra Jobs.
1.
The Programme for Economic Expansion does not purport to be a detailed plan based on predetermined production targets but, rather, an outline of the more important contributions to economic development proposed to be made by the State, the underlying principle being that the private sector will continue to be the principal source of new productive projects. It is not possible to evaluate the effect of the Programme in the manner suggested in the Deputy's question.
I am, however, satisfied that in 1959 there was an appreciable increase in insurable employment. Insurance stamp purchases in the nine months ended 31st December, 1959, were 670,000 higher than in the corresponding period in 1958. This is equivalent to an increase of 17,179 in the average number of insured workers per week during the nine months. Even when allowance is made for the altered position under the Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1958, the average number of insured workers employed per week has shown a very considerable increase.