Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Jun 1995

Vol. 455 No. 2

Written Answers. - Live Register.

Seán Power

Ceist:

30 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Finance if he will estimate the average number of unemployed persons on the live register for 1995; if this figure differs from the figure on which the Department of Social Welfare estimate was originally based; if the average live register figure is greater than his original estimate; the implications, if any, this has in terms of cost for the Government's estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11853/95]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

At budget time I announced an average live register forecast of 266,000 for 1995. As is customary at this time of the year, my Department is reviewing its economic forecasts, including the live register forecast, in an integrated fashion. Its considered view, including any revision to the initial estimate of the live register for 1995, will be published in Economic Review and Outlook in the weeks ahead.

However, at this stage it does seem clear from developments to date that the average live register this year will exceed the initial forecast by some thousands. It is too early yet to predict the overall outturn on the Social Welfare Vote with any degree of certainty. My Department will be reviewing expenditure trends closely on a continuing basis, and will take into account any revision to the live register, as well as all other relevant factors, in its assessment.