Liam Kavanagh
Ceist:5 Mr. Kavanagh asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline (1) the total expenditure to date in 1991, by his Department, on the employment incentive scheme and (2) the number of new participants on the scheme in 1991.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Incentive Scheme.
The purpose of the employment incentive scheme is to encourage employers to recruit the long term unemployed, early school leavers and other disadvantaged persons.
Exchequer expenditure on the scheme in 1991 is expected to be £1.3 million approximately. The number of new participants on the scheme for the first 11 months of the year totalled 1,908 and the figure for the full year is likely to be around 2,000.
In view of the announcement made by the Taoiseach that we will have a new employment incentive scheme, which will either replace the existing scheme or prove to be more attractive than the present one, can the Minister say if the terms under which people join the scheme will be different?
I have to tell the Deputy that his question is essentially statistical and that matters of policy do not arise now.
The Minister might have some idea of——
There is a strict procedure in this matter. Question No. 6 please.
May I ask a brief supplementary question?
This is a statistical question, Deputy.
Does this represent an increase or a decrease in the number of people on the employment incentive scheme?
It is about the same.
Question No. 6 has been called, Minister.
On a point of order, my question is quite in order. I have asked a statistical question.
I am sorry, but it is essentially statistical and matters of policy do not arise.
That is what I am asking. I am not talking about the policy but the numbers involved.
The Deputy must put down a separate question.
I am asking if it represents a decrease or an increase in the numbers in the current year as against the figure for last year?
I said there is no significant difference.
Is it up or down?
I do not have the precise figures.