asked the Minister for Social Welfare the percentage of the expenditure of the social insurance fund which it is proposed will be met from April, 1975 by (a) employees (b) employers and (c) the Exchequer.
79.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Insurance Fund.
77.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the cost of the new social welfare stamp to pay for increased social welfare benefits taking into account the withdrawal of the Exchequer contribution to the social insurance fund referred to in the budget speech, 1975.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 79 together. I am not yet in a position to indicate the precise increases in the various rates of social insurance contributions payable by employees and employers which will be necessary from April, 1975, as a result of the recent budget proposals. They will be announced in due course when the relevant Bill is circulated. I am not therefore yet in a position to indicate the percentage of expenditure of the social insurance fund which will be met by (a) employees and (b) employers from 1st April, 1975, but with regard to (c) of the Deputy's question it is estimated that from April, 1975, the Exchequer will be meeting not less than 22 per cent of the expenditure of the social insurance fund.
Do I take it that the figures presented by the Minister for Finance in the budget in relation to this figure were bogus figures? How could he arrive at a figure of £7 million if it has not been decided what figure is going to be collected?
The total budget increase will cost £49.4 million in the financial year 1975. The Exchequer cost will be £25.685 million. These figures were given in the budget speech. The balance of £23.715 million falls to be met by employers and employees by increases in social insurance contributions. The Minister also said in that section of his budget that there would be a further cost of £7.1 million to the Exchequer to provide for any increase in unemployment.
Would the Minister say if he visualises in the near future a situation where the total cost of the social insurance fund would be borne by employers and employees without any charge to the Exchequer?
The Minister said in his speech as well that in principle it had been accepted that over a phased period this would be the case, but no date has been mentioned and it is not visualised to do it in the immediate future.
Will the Minister see that happening in the life of the National Coalition Government?
We can all make forecasts as to how long Governments last.
The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.
The Dáil adjourned at 5 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 28th January, 1975.