asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he is aware of the severe hardship being caused to home assistance recipients by the failure to implement the provisions of the Social Welfare (Supplementary Welfare Allowances) Act, 1975; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

As I informed the Deputy on 2nd November last in reply to a previous question concerning the implementation of the provisions of the Act mentioned, it was decided to defer the making of the ministerial order which is necessary to bring the provisions of the Act into operation, as negotiations were in progress between the Local Government Staff Negotiations Board and the appropriate unions regarding the conditions of employment of the staff concerned. I understand that the unions and the board agreed to refer the claim jointly to the Labour Court and the outcome of that reference is now awaited. Meanwhile I am pleased to say that I recently received an assurance from the Local Government and Public Services Union that they would co-operate fully in the implementation of the new legislation and I understand that the other union involved will be meeting shortly to consider the matter of implementation.

As I assured the Deputy on the occasion of his previous question, I am most anxious to have the Act brought into operation at the earliest practicable date. The existing home assistance scheme will, of course, continue in force until the new supplementary welfare allowances scheme comes into operation.

The Parliamentary Secretary will certainly give me credit for trying to have this very worth-while legislation introduced as a matter of urgency. It is very welcome news to hear him say that there has been progress made on all fronts, but can the Parliamentary Secretary say when we can look forward to the implementation of this legislation?

As I explained to the Deputy in my reply, there are two unions concerned. One union, the local government officials' union, have communicated that they are now prepared to implement the scheme. A meeting of the other union concerned is to be held in the very near future and I am hopeful that a similar result will emerge from that meeting. If it does, the scheme could be operated within a matter of weeks following that decision.

Is there any influence the Parliamentary Secretary can bring to bear on the second union? I know the Parliamentary Secretary cannot interfere directly in negotiations, but it would be a great help if they would follow the very worth-while lead given by the local government officials' union.

No. As the Deputy is aware, I have made my views on the desirability of the implementation of this new scheme publicly known on a number of occasions. I am sure the Deputy will agree with me that it would be inappropriate and improper for me to try to use any undue influence with any union.

7.