Jim O'Keeffe
Question:489 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has proposals to reform and improve the social welfare system; and if so, the details of same. [4781/03]
Vol. 561 No. 4
489 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has proposals to reform and improve the social welfare system; and if so, the details of same. [4781/03]
The Government has made significant improvements to the social welfare system in recent years resulting in significant falls in the number of persons in consistent poverty and in real improvements in the quality of life of persons dependent on the system. Examples of which are as follows: social welfare spending will have risen by over €4.5 billion in the period between 1997 and 2003 – well in excess of the rate of inflation; payments rates for both recipients and their families have improved very considerably in real terms; there has been a major increase in the level of resources devoted to child benefit; and significant structural improvements have been made to the social welfare system.