asked the Taoiseach the percentage of gross national product which is devoted to social cash benefits.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Cash Benefits.
2.
It is estimated that social cash benefits in 1965-66 amounted to 5.4 per cent of gross national product.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary give us a definition of "social cash benefits"?
There are quite a number of them: old age pensions, widows' and orphans' pensions; allowances both contributory and non-contributory; there are children's allowances, unemployment assistance and unemployment benefit and the payment of supplementary unemployment, and wet time insurance; there are disability benefits, marriage benefits, maternity grants and allowances, home assistance, maintenance allowances for persons suffering from infectious diseases; there are rehabilitation and maintenance of disabled persons and payments to foster parents.
These do not include benefits to industry, agriculture and education?
I was asked in relation to social cash benefits.
How would the Parliamentary Secretary describe education?
Social, I suppose.
It is not included.
Oh, no. I detailed the items that are included to make up 5.4 per cent.
Does this include contributory benefits?
Yes.
What percentage did the Parliamentary Secretary say?
5.4 per cent.
Question No. 3 postponed.