asked the Minister for Finance how he proposes to raise the £45 million necessary to finance the concessions already made in respect of pay-related social insurance contributions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - PRSI Concessions.
10.
(Clare): I have already indicated on a number of occasions that the loss of revenue resulting from the concession of the special tax allowance in respect of PRSI payments for PAYE taxpayers will be made good in the course of the year. A review of departmental expenditures has been undertaken and no decisions can be made until the Government have considered the results of that review.
Is the Minister prepared to confirm that the reports on expenditure were received by his Minister approximately ten days ago and that decisions should be taken now in regard to whatever cutbacks in expenditure are to be made? Also, can the Minister indicate when he expects to make an announcement on this matter?
(Clare): The proposals will be before the Government within the next two to three weeks at the latest and the announcement can be expected after decisions are reached.
Is there any danger of the Government deciding deliberately to postpone the announcement of these decisions until after the electorate of East Galway have had a chance to express their views?
(Clare): I have said that the proposals will be before the Government in the next two to three weeks.
Will the Minister agree that about a month ago the Minister for Finance said that the decisions in this matter would be made within about a month of that time?
(Clare): As the Deputy will appreciate from his own experience, examination of the different Estimates usually takes more time than that anticipated at the beginning.
It depends on whether the Government wish to take decisions.
We must move on to the next question. Has Deputy L'Estrange a supplementary question?
I have. How can the Minister be optimistic about effecting savings this year when last year we had Supplementary Estimates to the extent of £590 million, when in the previous year the corresponding figure was £477 million and in the year before that, £360 million, and when already this year we have some Supplementary Estimates?
(Clare): We will know in a few weeks.
Question No. 11.
I hope it will be like Dublin West when we know.