Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On some logistical issues, the Minister has talked about referring a further Bill to the committee for pre-legislative scrutiny. We will be delighted to consider it when that happens. I want to note that if this is referred over the Christmas recess, we will not have the full eight weeks to consider it. We had a number of problems over the summer recess when Bills were referred to us for pre-legislative scrutiny and we had very truncated scrutiny as a result of that. I ask the Minister to keep in mind that if Bills are referred over the recess, it does not leave us with that flexibility.

I have one question regarding the Supplementary Estimate in front of us. Could we have clarification on the €12 million on administration? I am confused about the way it is laid out. Is the €12 million just coming from the Social Insurance Fund or is there a separate €12 million on administration under both Vote 37 and under the Social Insurance Fund? It seems to be unclear. If there are two figures of €12 million, it seems that the administration across the payment in the schemes outside the Social Insurance Fund is at 2% or at a much lower rate than within the Social Insurance Fund at 5%, which would be a contradiction in terms. It should be easier to pay out payments through the Social Insurance Fund, which is for non-means-tested payments, than as means-tested payments. Perhaps the Minister will clarify that first and then I will have another point.