asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development if, with reference to the recent Government Green Paper, paragraph 2.10, he will explain how the distinction between "secondary services and support systems" and "more fundamental social needs" is to be made.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Social Policy .
14.
: The overriding social and economic goal of the Government is the elimination of unemployment. Within the narrower field of social policy as commonly understood, the primary social concerns are those mentioned in the paragraph of the Green Paper referred to in the Deputy's question, namely, the maintenance of income at an appropriate level and the provision of health, education and housing services for all in our community. Meeting the other more specific needs mentioned in the paragraph is secondary to these concerns.
: Would the Minister accept that there is a certain amount of concern about the phraseology in this very important paragraph which sets the tone for much of the Green Paper and that there is the implication in it that the secondary services and support systems as opposed to more fundamental needs may very well be in the area of the general social care network, and that the implication of the Green Paper might be that the latter would get more financial and political attention than the social care network and perhaps at the expense of that network?
: This is argument. It is not a question.
: I am genuinely trying to elicit information.
: I can only repeat what was expressed in the Green Paper and what was expressed by members of the Government on many occasions during the past year and stated prior to the election last year, namely, that if there is to be a major attack on the unemployment problem it is necessary to give priority to that task. Therefore there cannot be resources available for any substantial improvement in other areas of social concern during that period.
: The Minister did not say that.
: There would not even be the need for severe restraint in improvements in these areas had we not inherited the finances of the country in such an appalling state.
(Interruptions.)
: If we are going to have contentious statements from one side of the House——
(Interruptions.)
A Deputy
: If that is getting under the Minister's skin, I am sorry.
: You are not getting under my skin.
: Is it a fact that, for the first time in the history of the State, a decision will be made by the Government of the day to choose one area of social and economic activity as opposed to another, the alternative being obviously that they make advances in both areas. Is this the first time we are going to have a positive Government decision to take one area of alleged more fundamental social need, which could also be construed as political need, and to develop that at the expense of others?
: May we take it that the Deputy does not view the creation of full employment as a priority?
(Interruptions.)
: Was the Minister serious when he said that prior to June 1977 he told the people that there would be cut backs in social service systems because of the alleged attack by the Government——
: No, we did not tell them that because there was no such statement or intention.
: The Minister has now told the House that he told them that.
: If the Deputy goes back to the first enunciation of our policy in September 1976, he will see clearly in the detailed notes, which were supplied with it lest there be any ambiguity, a careful statement that all that would be feasible during the later years—presumably 1978-80— would be at least the maintenance of the existing volume of spending.
(Interruptions.)
: I am calling Question No. 15.