asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will make a statement outlining the impact of the reduction of 23 per cent in the allocation for the anti-poverty programme.
Written Answers. - Anti-Poverty Programme.
40.
The allocation for the anti-poverty programme included in the 1988 published Estimates is £1 million. The amount provided in the Estimates for 1987 was £1.3 million.
The 1988 allocation was determined following consideration of the agency's proposed programme of work and in the light of the severe restrictions on public expenditure generally. While the allocation in 1988 is less than in 1987 a considerable proportion of the additional expenditure in 1987 arises from start-up costs of the agency which are non-recurring. In addition the restrictions on recruitment of staff mean that certain aspects of the agency's operations will necessarily be curtailed. I consider that the 1988 allocation is reasonable in the circumstances.