asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether, in view of the poor law connotation attached to the expression social welfare benefits, he will consider amending the title of his Department to the Department of Social Security.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Title of Department.
25.
While I do not accept that the term "social welfare" necessarily has a poor law connotation, I recognise that most of the services administered by my Department are "social security" or "income maintenance" rather than "welfare" services.
I would point out, however, that the Government's proposals for future developments in the social welfare services as outlined in the Third Programme for Economic and Social Development indicate that the question of welfare services in a broader connotation than that of income maintenance will be examined. Accordingly, I would not favour an amendment as suggested, at the present time.