asked the Taoiseach if urgent consideration will be given to the appointment of a Minister of State at the Department of Social Welfare.

No.

I wish to ask a few questions following that very extensive reply to my question.

Is the Taoiseach aware that the Department of Social Welfare, as far as insured workers are concerned, is now non-existent?

The question is not relevant.

It is relevant to the workers.

It is not relevant to the question on the Order Paper. The question on the Order Paper is precise and clear-cut.

I am sure that the Taoiseach is well aware that out of every ten letters that a TD gets daily, eight relate to the evils of the Department of Social Welfare. This is a serious matter.

Question No. 13.

It is a disgraceful action on the part of the Taoiseach——

Deputy, please.

——that he is not prepared to give a more comprehensive answer to a question——

The Deputy will not take advantage of Question Time to make a speech.

I will raise this matter on the adjournment, if the Minister is not——

I will communicate with the Deputy.

Why does the Minister for Social Welfare, Deputy Haughey, not wave the same wand as the Minister for the Environment and instead of giving people licences give them pensions?

In view of the number of problems relating to the Department of Social Welfare, may I ask the Taoiseach why he does not consider it urgent for a Minister of State to be appointed to that Department?

There is no problem relating to the Department of Social Welfare that would be eased in any way by the appointment of a Minister of State. I want to say to Deputy Ryan that the workers are in no way disadvantaged by there not being a separate Minister of State in that Department.

If it was considered necessary in June 1977 to appoint two Ministers of State to the Department of Industry, Commerce and Energy and one to the Department of Education, why was it not deemed necessary to appoint a Minister of State to these two very vital Departments?

The Coalition had a Parliamentary Secretary there and he was a disaster.

Order, please.

Is the Taoiseach aware——

That is the real Taoiseach who replied to the supplementary.

——that there are unsigned letters emanating from the Department of Social Welfare?

This matter may be raised under another heading. Question No. 13.

It is very hard to sign a letter when you are jogging.