Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the estimates used to calculate a figure of €101.8 million as the cost of jobseekers benefit and allowance payments in 2008; if he will revise this figure upwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2249/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The 2008 Pre-Budget Estimates for the Department of Social and Family Affairs were, in respect of social welfare unemployment payments, framed in the context of an average annual Live Register forecast of 170,000. When account was taken of the policy changes provided for in the Budget, including the increase in social welfare payment rates, the post-Budget estimated allocations for social welfare Jobseekers Allowance and Jobseekers Benefit payments in 2008 are €1,019.8 million and €614.52 million respectively. This provision for unemployment payments, along with the allocations for the other social welfare demand led schemes, will be closely monitored over the course of 2008 within the Government framework for reporting and control of public expenditure.