asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether his Department are drawing up a five-year programme for social welfare including budgetary provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Services Programme.
628.
During the Government's term of office my Department will be concerned in the implementation of the commitments in the Programme for Government regarding the development and review of the social welfare services. Major areas for development include the initiation of a national income-related pension scheme, social insurance for the self-employed, the formulation and implementation of an anti-poverty plan and the elimination of the remaining areas of discrimination between men and women in social security matters.
The regular improvement of existing services and the monitoring and appraisal of these services are important aspects of the Department's development programme. In this connection the Commission on Social Welfare envisaged in the Programme for Government is to be established in the near future with a view to reviewing the social welfare system so that it meets its objectives effectively.
This programme of development will inevitably require additional resources and the cost of these and budgetary provision for them will be a fundamental part of the exercise.