Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Departmental Surveys.

Michael Woods

Ceist:

708 Dr. Woods asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total cost of surveys undertaken by the MRBI for his Department since January 1995; the number of such surveys undertaken; the costs incurred in respect of each survey; and the surveys, if any, which included a questionnaire to ascertain the level of support for political parties. [14932/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

In the period since January 1995 the MRBI was selected, following a competitive tendering process, to undertake one independent, quantitative research survey for the Department of Social Welfare.

The main fieldwork was conducted in the period February 1996 to June 1996. The cost of conducting this research by the MRBI amounted to £39,675. The VAT charge of 21 per cent increased the total payment to £48,006.75

The objective of the research was, through a sample of 1,000 recipients, to obtain an objective assessment of the nature and levels of service provided to social welfare recipients generally; to highlight areas of service where improvements are required, and, through a sample of 1,000 members of the public, to measure the level of knowledge of and attitudes towards the Department of Social Welfare and its services.

No surveys undertaken by the Department have included questions in relation to support for political parties.