asked the Minister for Social Welfare (a) the proportion of the insured population who are women, (b) the proportion of claimants for disability benefit who are women and (c) the reason for any significant difference between (a) and (b).

(Mayo West): It is estimated that approximately 35 per cent of the population insured for all benefits are women and that approximately 47 per cent of current disability benefit claimants are women. The difference in these proportions indicates that there is a higher rate of certified illness among women workers than among men workers.

That would appear to be self-evident from the figures. The question I asked was why.

It is self-explanatory.

It is not.

(Mayo West): I do not know if there is any real answer. It appears that the system as it operates at the moment is that people who apply for disability benefit and other forms of illness claims are certified as being unsuitable for work. I have no comment to make. The figures are clear.

Would the Minister of State request the Minister for Health to investigate this matter as it would appear to have some public health implications?

(Mayo West): Four additional medical referees are being appointed in the Department in an effort to control the disability benefit expenditure generally.

I did not ask about inspectors. I asked about the public health implications. Will the Minister of State refer the matter to the Minister for Health in view of its public health implications?

(Mayo West): I can do that.