asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development if, with reference to paragraph 2.12 of the recent Government Green Paper, and, in particular, the reference to "suitable restraint must be exercised in these areas where the bulk of Government spending takes place", he will state how it is proposed to assess an appropriate rate of restraint; and if he is satisfied with the existing standards in the areas of proposed restraint.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Public Expenditure .
15.
: As stated in the Green Paper, the Government's overriding objective in the social area is the ending of unemployment. Eliminating unemployment will require that an increasing proportion of resources be devoted to employment creation and, given the limitation on resources imposed by the taxation and borrowing constraints, this implies a policy of restraint in non-job-creating areas.
However, I want to stress that this does not preclude improving standards in certain areas. The broad guidelines for restraint are set out in paragraph 2.12 as a slower growth of public expenditure than in the past on the services in question, the maintenance at least of the 1978 level of services for those who genuinely need them and income maintenance payments increasing in line with the cost of living. Table 7.2 of the Green Paper sets out a profile of future public expenditure which the Government feel is consistent with the resources likely to be available and with giving priority in spending to action which will increase employment.
: In the areas of proposed restraint is the Minister presently satisfied that there are proper standards and that there is no degree of abuse? Could it not be construed that, if we are going to have suitable restraints, somewhere there may be an overgenerous streak running through this area of proposed restraint?
: That is a rather general question.
: I do not get the point. Is the Deputy asking me a question?
: Yes.
: Could we have the question, please?
: I will make it very simple. Is it not possible that, in order to deliver an abject political promise on jobs, the Minister is willing to sell short particularly the less well-heeled and articulate and that people will be deprived of basic social services in order to deliver on a promise regarding which the Taoiseach said on radio that if it was not delivered he would welcome the people's throwing him out?
: I thought we were going to have questions. The Deputy could have fooled me, it seems.
: That is a pretty good question.