Symposium on the report of the Commission on Social Welfare

Abstract

The Report of the Commission on Social Welfare (CSW) together with the three Background Papers comprise the first ever comprehensive review of the entire Social Welfare System.Expenditure on Social Welfare is at a record high of over 14 per cent of GNP, absorbing more resources than is devoted by the State to agriculture, fisheries, forestry, industry, transport and communications combined. Throughout the recessionary fifties expenditure on social welfare never exceeded 6 per cent of GNP. Indeed back in the fifties the four areas of education, health, housing and social welfare combined absorbed around 15 per cent of GNP. An expanding population faces contracting opportunities. Unemployment and debt are at record levels. Substantial emigration has resumed. Output is flagging and, while inflation is well down, real interest rates have never been higher. The Report of the CSW culminates in its chapter on Costings and Priorities. I will limit my comments to some remarks regarding these two areas.