asked the Minister for Social Welfare what plans, if any, his Department have for the extension of social insurance coverage to the self-employed.

The fact that the self-employed in this country are not covered by social insurance has been the cause of some comment over the years. The EEC social action programme adopted by the Council of Ministers in January, 1974, included, among its objectives, the gradual extension of social protection, particularly within the framework of social security schemes, to categories of persons not covered or inadequately provided for under existing schemes. The matter was adverted to in the Green Paper on a National Income-Related Pension Scheme. In that paper, some important considerations relevant to the provision of a contributory pension system for the self-employed were discussed and the views of those interested in the whole question of social insurance for the self-employed were invited. Thus far the response on the part of the self-employed to that invitation for views has been poor and my Department is at present reconsidering the position generally.

Is there any body which represents the self-employed?

No, that is probably one of the problems. The self-employed, particularly small self-employed persons, are completely disorganised. There might be scope for some enterprising person to undertake this work.

Would the proposal the Minister has in mind involve the farming community and if so would the Minister give a commitment to consult extensively with representatives of the farming community before coming to any firm decision in relation to this matter?

It has always been my ministerial practice to consult extensively and harmoniously with the farming community.

Is that a commitment —that the Minister will enter into such consultation prior to coming to any decision?

Certainly.