asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will introduce amending legislation to allow for the payment of unemployment assistance to 16 year olds.

Extension of the scheme of unemployment assistance on the lines suggested would have very significant cost implications and in present circumstances it would not be possible to contemplate a substantial extension of any of the existing social welfare schemes except on the basis of diverting funds from other schemes to pay for it.

While the minimum age for receipt of unemployment assistance is 18 years, younger persons have many State schemes available to them including unemployment benefit if they have been in insurable employment, the work experience programme and a number of schemes under the aegis of AnCO and the Youth Employment Agency.

I disagree that they have unemployment benefit available to them because I do not see how they could be in insurable employment bearing in mind the position of our economy. Will the Minister agree that such a change will have the effect of stopping many young people from going to England and other countries to seek employment? I am sure the Minister is aware of the problems our young people encounter when they arrive in London, and other English cities, becuse they do not have any money.

I do not agree with what the Deputy has said but there would be serious cost implications involved in such a change. Incidentally, the matter has been referred by the Government to the Commission for Social Welfare who will be issuing their findings fairly soon. It is one of those matters which they have been asked to consider.