Vol. 421 No. 1
21 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will outline the steps, if any, he proposes to take to move towards his stated objective of unifying and rationalising all social welfare payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
24 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will clarify his plans for the recently announced single means-tested social assistance scheme; the way in which it will work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 24 together.
As I have already announced, I am examining the feasibility of introducing a single social assistance scheme, with standard rates of payment, in place of the range of assistance schemes which now exist. I see this as a way of eliminating many of the complexities which exist within the present social welfare system, with different schemes, rates of payment and conditions of entitlement.
I see the introduction of a single means test for all social assistance schemes as an essential prerequisite to the introduction of a unified scheme. I am currently examining the feasibility of rationalising the present means tests into a unified test which would be applied to all social assistance schemes. Clearly there are complex issues to be resolved in this regard because of the fundamental differences which exist at present. However, I hope to have proposals finalised shortly for inclusion in a forthcoming Social Welfare Bill.
