asked the Minister for Labour the reason the 1 per cent Youth Employment Levy is deducted at source and from the staff of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and the action he will take in this matter.

: Under the Youth Employment Levy Regulations, 1982 (S.I.No. 84 of 1982), the 1 per cent youth employment levy is payable by an individual coming within the PAYE/PRSI system on his gross income as reduced by his superannuation payments.

The Deputy's question relates to the position of a branch manager of an employment office. I understand the Revenue Commissioners have ruled that branch managers are employees of the Department of Social Welfare, and they have been fully insurable under the social welfare code since 1968. They have come within the PAYE scheme since 1976 when the scope of the scheme was extended to the public service under the Finance Act of that year. The youth employment levy, therefore, is payable on the income of a branch manager on the same basis as that of any other employee coming within the PAYE/PRSI system. That position would obtain also as regards persons whom a branch manager might decide to employ.

: What steps have the Government taken since 10 March to set a pay policy or to commence negotiations with the public service? What intentions do the Government have in the whole matter of pay at a time when there appears to be a completely vague attitude in the background of the devaluation of the weekend which will further affect pay packets?

: There is nothing at all vague about this. The Government issued a paper on 10 March last in which they formally stated their position on pay policy for 1983. That paper, having noted the views of the ICTU and the FUE, briefly described the background to the pay negotiations. Respecting the right of all parties to enter pay negotiations, the Government expressed the view that there should be a pay pause until the autumn and that increases in low single figures should follow. The Government also considered that pay agreements negotiated should be for not less than 15 months. I understand the Deputy has tabled a broadly similar question to the Minister for the Public Service in relation to his role.

: I am trying to get some information but it is not easy to get it. Is the Minister saying that the statement of 10 March is a Government decision on pay policy? Is he saying he is no longer giving the employer or trade union representatives any play, that the Government have decided there will be a long pay pause at the end of which there will be a very low percentage increase? If that is so, what steps have the Government taken, on the other hand, to ensure stability of prices during the period.

: Any reading of the Government statement will indicate that the Government's position is quite the opposite to what the Deputy has suggested. There is no question of the Government seeking to dictate in this matter.

: Has the Minister any views on whether negotiations should take place quickly especially, for example, where agreements have expired?

: Negotiations in the public sector are a matter for the Minister for the Public Service. Later on the Order Paper the Minister will be answering questions. In the case of the private sector the Government have indicated what their wishes would be.

15.

asked the Minister for Labour the total expected revenue from the Youth Employment Levy for 1983 under the various categories; and if he will give a breakdown of the expenditure through the various programmes outlining in respect of each the number of young persons being assisted and for what periods in 1983.

: As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose to circulate it in the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

Expected Revenue from the Youth Employment Levy

The latest estimate, which takes into account the delay normally encountered in collecting a tax of this kind, is that the Youth Employment Levy will raise about £77.5 million in 1983, made up as follows:—

The estimate given in the case of farmers is very tentative because of administrative difficulties arising from the recent change in the method of assessing farmers' incomes.

Provision for expenditure in 1983 on youth employment, training and work experience

Estimated number of participants on various youth programmes and duration

: This is going too far. It is stifling questions.

: I assure the Deputy that it is purely coincidental.

: This is becoming an expert exercise on how best to withhold information publicly in the House by preventing one from asking supplementary questions.

: There are some 30 statistics involved.

: There is an obvious question of serious dimensions which should be asked. We had the new departure of a potential adviser to the Minister of State pontificating on how he wishes to see the Youth Employment Agency progressing in the future and how he sees it being funded and the funds being used. Basically that surely is still a Government decision. These are questions I want to put to the Minister of State and I am prevented from asking them because of this tabular statement.

: It has not prevented the Deputy from making a speech.

: Honestly, I was trying to elicit information on the Minister's views on the most unusual step of an adviser last Sunday at length expounding a policy which appears to me to be contrary to what the Government have decided in regard to the funding of the Youth Employment Agency.

: This boy is only being screened at the moment.

: He is only being screened — he has not yet been appointed.

: He is with the CIA at the moment.

: Is he operating with the permission of the Minister of State or with the permission of the Minister for Labour or is he completely on his own?

: The Deputy's question is purely statistical.

: It relates to the funding of the Youth Employment Agency.

: It is clear that the appointment of someone with such preeminent qualifications was a matter of interest——

: Did the Minister say he is a politician?