asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, she has for rationalising and equalising the system of child dependant payments of social welfare payments.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - Child Dependant Payments.
25.
The need for a rationalisation of the rates of payments for child dependants under the social welfare system is accepted. The question of restructuring the range of these payments will be considered in the light of the report of the Commission on Social Welfare and also in the context of the introduction of a fully taxable child benefit scheme which is part of the Government's plan for the development of family income support.
I am glad the Minister has produced the old rabbit out of the hat — the report of the Commission on Social Welfare, which is long overdue.
If the Deputy does not produce a question, Question Time will be over.
Does the Minister consider it right and proper that there should be 36 different types of child dependency payments under social welfare schemes? Does he not accept that there might be a hierarchical system of dependency payments? Has this been considered by the commission or has the Minister any views on it?
I said in my reply that the need for a rationalisation of the rates of payments for child dependants under the social welfare system is accepted. Every effort will be made in the light of the report of the Commission on Social Welfare, and in the other schemes, to bring about that change.
When will we be told about it?
The commission sent their report to the Minister yesterday. It has to go to the Government and then to this House and other bodies.