asked the Minister for Finance if his Department at any time in the past five years commissioned a report on expenditure in Ireland on social services with comparisons with other western European countries; if so, how much it cost; by whom it was carried out; and when it will be published.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Expenditure on Social Services.
25.
A general examination of the levels and trends of public expenditure on certain social services in a number of the smaller European countries was carried out in 1968 by Professor P.R. Kaim-Caudle at the request of the Department of Finance. The cost of the work to the Department was £750.
The examination was intended primarily to provide background information for the Department of Finance and the other Departments concerned with the social aspects of the Third Programme: Economic and Social Development, 1969-72. In view of the preliminary nature of the study, it is not proposed to publish it.
Would the Minister confirm that this report was not published because its findings would have embarrassed the Government?
That is not the case.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary not consider that a report of this nature on which public money was expended should be made available to the public?
The secretaries of the Department held discussions on this matter in January. They were of the opinion that the findings, if published in their own context, could be misinterpreted or misrepresented. It was considered that it was useful for internal use only.
Could the report not have been published with other information which would put it in context?
No.
Why not?
Because it was not the intention to do so.
This is deliberate quashing of information.