Vol. 400 No. 9
4 Mrs. Barnes asked the Taoiseach the total number of dependents in the State, as a percentage of the total number in the workplace; if he will outline the same statistic for all other EC countries; the average per capita income for the State discounting dependants in respect of the latest year for which it is available; and like figures for each EC country.
I propose to include in the Official Report a statement showing the information requested by the Deputy in respect of the year 1988, the latest period for which it is available.
Following is the statement:
|
EC Member States |
Dependants¹ as a percentage of the number of persons at work — 1988 |
Net National Disposable Income² per head of the population aged 15-64 years — 1988 |
|
% |
IR£000 |
|
|
Ireland |
127 |
8.3 |
|
Belgium |
86 |
13.1 |
|
Denmark |
62 |
17.7 |
|
Fed. Rep. of Germany |
67 |
15.9 |
|
Greece |
87 |
5.0 |
|
Spain |
110 |
7.8 |
|
France |
88 |
14.8 |
|
Italy |
84 |
12.1 |
|
Luxembourg |
64 |
20.3 |
|
Netherlands |
76 |
13.0 |
|
Portugal |
83 |
4.2 |
|
United Kingdom |
75 |
12.7 |
¹Taken as persons under 15 years of age and those aged 65 and over.
²Net National Disposable Income is defined as National Income plus net transfers for the rest of the world. Figures given for the other EC Member States have been converted into Irish Pounds using current exchange rates.
Will the figures the Minister will furnish me show, first, that we have a higher level of dependency in this country not just of young and old but also a very high number of women dependant in the home in one-income households and the impact of that with regard to our per capita income? Does the Minister agree that Structural Funds should be used in the reintegration of women into the workforce to achieve a better balance between the rest of the Community and Ireland in regard to the participation of women in the workforce and a consequent lower level of dependency?
The Deputy's question is essentially statistical and matters appertaining to policy ought not to arise now. I respectfully suggest that the Deputy should await the availability of the tabular statement. We will now deal with questions nominated for priority. Could I have the co-operation of the Deputies concerned, and the House generally, in competing these questions within the prescribed time?
