Bernard J. Durkan
Question:29 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the Commission on Social Welfare began its present deliberations; the major issues likely to be dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Commission on Social Welfare.
The Commission on Social Welfare was established in August 1983 and its report was published in July 1986. The report represented the first major comprehensive review of the social welfare system and contained four main recommendations. These were: improved child income support, a broadening of the social insurance base, improvement in the delivery of services and improvement in basic payments. Considerable progress has been made in all four areas since the commission's report was published.
In the area of child income support, the number of child dependant rates has been streamlined from 36 in 1987 to three at present. The minimum child dependant allowance will be £12.80 with effect from next July, as compared with £6 in 1987.
This year's budget provided for a substantial increase in child benefit payments to £20 for the first three children and £23 for the fourth and each subsequent child. Under the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government is committed to increasing child benefit still further over time, following integration of the tax and social welfare systems. A new grant of £200 for mothers on the birth of twins will also be introduced from July. In addition, the family income supplement will be improved, so that families on family income supplement will be £12 per week better off from July.
The Commission on Social Welfare also recommended a broadening of the social insurance base. With effect from April 1988, I extended social insurance cover for pensions to the self-employed, including farmers. In 1991, I extended full social insurance cover to part-time workers earning £25 or more per week. This year these part-time workers are becoming eligible for unemployment benefit, disability benefit and maternity benefit for the first time, representing a substantial improvement in their employment conditions.
The major and ongoing improvements which I have made in the quality, efficiency and delivery of social welfare services are in line with recommendations made by the commission in this area. In some areas we have gone further. I have set up eight regional management centres throughout the country and local offices are being converted into one stop shops for all social welfare services in these areas. This amounts to a major and fundamental re-organisation in the way these services are administered and delivered and is resulting in a more local customer-oriented service.
In recent years, social welfare payments have more than kept pace with inflation. All long term social welfare rates now exceed the Commission on Social Welfare's priority rate which is £58.20 in 1993 terms. The new maximum standard weekly rates for long term payments will range from £59.20 to £68.90 with effect from July. The carer's allowance will also increase to the long term rate from July. Short-term payments will be increased to a new personal weekly rate of £55.60.
The exceptionally difficult budgetary circumstances earlier this year did not allow the Government to achieve in full the priority rates proposed by the commission for short term payments. This will be achieved in the context of further growth in the economy. However, the Government is committed, under the Programme for a Partnership Government, to at least maintain the real value of social welfare payments and to protect the incomes of pensioners. I will continue to keep payment levels under review and to implement the commission's recommendations in this area as resources permit.
As the Deputy will also be aware, the National Pensions Board is currently finalising its report on the development of a new national pensions system. I expect to receive this report shortly and its recommendations will be given careful and detailed consideration by me.