Vol. 396 No. 2
29 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline the basis of calculation of the sum allocated in respect of unemployment related expenditure for his Department in 1990; in particular, the average number of people expected to be on the live register throughout 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The total estimated cost of unemployment related payments by my Department in 1990, including the cost of the improvements announced in the budget on 31 January 1990, is £680.6 million. This figure comprises £637.1 million in respect of payments by way of unemployment assistance, or unemployment benefit and associated pay related benefit to persons on the live register, and £43.5 million in respect of payments to smallholders.
The average net live register projected for 1990 is 221,500. The average number of smallholders for 1990 is estimated at 14,000.
