Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I do not anticipate a Supplementary Estimate being required. Social welfare schemes are almost all demand-led and as such they are provided for in the system. If demand goes up, the funds are forthcoming. Quite often, savings may well be made in schemes or other aspects of the Department, but if a Supplementary Estimate is required, once the scheme is demand-led, rather than a new policy initiative, there is usually no difficulty in securing that.

I take the Deputy's point with regard to the number of hours and the need for more flexibility in the scheme, particularly to take account of part-time and casual workers, and an increasing number of women workers doing part-time work. We will continue to try to finesse the scheme so that part-time and casual workers can avail of it. We will continue to bring it to their attention as best we can.

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