asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of meetings he has had this year with the National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Poverty Committee.
6.
I have not had any meeting with the National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty so far this year as the need for such a meeting has not arisen. The normal liaison of the Department with the Committee in the course of their work is continuing.
I did not hear the first part of the Minister's reply.
I have not had a meeting this year because the need for such a meeting has not arisen.
How many meetings did the Minister have last year?
I had one on 18 January, 19 June and 19 July. I had at least three meetings last year.
Is that an indication that the Minister is not convinced of the efficacy of the Committee's work or does it mean that the Minister is not giving them his full public support?
I approved the projects they put to me this year. Meetings only arise when they are worried that I might turn something down.
Will the Minister give the committee his full public support?
Of course.
What efforts has the Minister made to help the committee improve their work?
I went to Brussels last year and got them increased financial support and an extension of the term of their activity.
The Minister indicated that he found it necessary or desirable to meet the committee only if they feared that he was about to turn down one of their projects.
I said that that would normally be their reason for seeing me. It was on that basis that I met them last year.
On three occasions.
On other occasions I met them informally. I was present at the presentation of their report. I had a lot of contact with them in 1978 and will be glad to meet them in the current year if the occasion arises.
In view of the fact that the only established figures regarding poverty in our society indicate that the percentage of our citizens who live in what is described as poverty is in excess of 20 per cent, on any occasion since he assumed office has the Minister made a public speech regarding that deplorable position in our society?
The Parliamentary Secretary who was there made many speeches but I am not sure that his actions always matched his speeches.
Does the Minister not agree that the primary responsibility of the Minister for Social Welfare is to draw public attention to poverty to get the necessary support to alleviate and eventually eliminate poverty in our society?
If I thought it would be of advantage I would not hesitate to do it. The existence and the extent of poverty in our community has been frequently adverted to in public by different organisations and individuals. I am not sure that speeches by me would contribute to the situation. If anybody believes that they would contribute to the situation I should be delighted to make a speech. I think it is preferable to engage in some positive activity.
Does the Minister agree that the cause of the high level of poverty in our society is the direct result of the economic system under which we operate?
I am calling Question No. 7.
Would the Minister be prepared to comment on that supplementary?
I do not agree.
In view of the fact that the cost of living increased by 17.9 per cent in 1978, is the Minister satisfied that the increases payable under social welfare will raise the standards of recipients to those obtaining 12 months ago?
The next question deals with that point.