asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has any plans to expand the research and development section of his Department.

I am very conscious of the value of the work of the research and development branch of my Department and I intend to make available to that branch the resources necessary to carry out whatever tasks I consider should be assigned to it.

Could the Minister say what tasks he has in mind with reference to this body at present?

There are quite a lot of activities which fall within the ambit of their operations such as a national pension scheme—one of the major areas. There is also the question of the self-employed and the whole area of making proper provision for them. These are just two that come to mind immediately. I shall also expect this development and research section to try to relate its work more closely with what is happening in the EEC. A great deal of our new development will emanate from or be caused by EEC directives and, therefore, I think our development work will have to be very closely integrated with what is coming out of Brussels.

How many are employed in that section at present?

That is a separate question.

I shall have to get that information.