Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2583. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the projected unemployment rate in 2019; the projected savings on the live register in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35240/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2584. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the programmes and payments to which the additional €241 million projected to meet demographic costs in her Department in 2019 net of the €50 million live register savings will be allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35241/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2583 and 2584 together.
The Summer Economic Statement published in mid-June 2018 indicated that the unemployment rate is expected to fall below the 5.5% mark in 2019 and is expected to remain broadly at this level over the medium term. The 2018 Expenditure Statement published in October 2017 identified savings of €50 million on the Live Register in 2019.
The estimated savings on the Live Register in 2019 will be refined in the light of trends up to Quarter 3, 2018 as part of the estimates process in the lead up to Budget 2019.
The additional €241 provided for demographic costs is made up of an estimated €200 million mainly for pensions, with the balance covering more general demographic pressures on a range of other schemes.
