andMr. Boland asked the Minister for Social Welfare the estimated additional annual revenue of each of the proposed increases of 135 per cent in the higher rate, 142 per cent in the middle rate, and 112 per cent in the lower rate of the weekly wet time contribution; and the estimated cost of the equivalent proposed increase in benefit of 16 per cent in the highest rate of benefit, 16 per cent in the middle rate of benefit, and 23 per cent in the lowest rate of benefit.

: The estimated additional annual revenue at the increased rates introduced on 22 May 1978 will be: (a) Skilled workers, £363,690; (b) unskilled workers, £398,574 and (c) young persons, £14,904.

The estimated additional annual cost of the increased rates of "wetTime" benefit payable from 22 May 1978 will be: (a) skilled workers, £86,925; (b) unskilled workers, £154,042 and (c) young persons, £7,033.

: In view of the great difference between the additional cost as against the additional amount of revenue, would the Minister say why he increased the rates at the levels he did?

: In 1977 the situation went completely out of order. The income from the fund was £561,311 and the expenditure was £944,907. The expenditure from the fund in 1978 has amounted to £462,768 up to 31 May and receipts amounted only to £263,369. The Deputy will see from those figures that that situation could not carry on. The Exchequer had to come to the aid of the fund or else it would be completely bankrupt.

: The Minister now anticipates getting over £500,000 more by contributions than he anticipates paying out by the increased payments?

: It was almost £500,000 short in 1977-78.

: It was £383,000 short, not £500,000.

: It was running another £200,000 short up to May of this year, but that situation could not carry on. We are endeavouring to bring the fund back into balance.

: In view of the fact that the fund was £383,000 short in its operation during 1977, can the Minister say how he justifies an anticipated additional net income of over £500,000? It might have been fair if the Minister increased the level of contribution to make the fund self-supporting, but this will be a profit making fund.

: The Deputy either does not understand or is deliberately misleading on these figures.

: This will be profit making now.

: It is not profit making. It is designed, to the best extent we can judge the situation, to put the fund back into balance.

24.