I am aware that the question of rescinding the so-called dirty dozen cuts of last year has been raised by the social partners in the context of negotiations leading to a new Programme for Economic and Social Progress type national agreement. My position in relation to those measures is quite clear. I have spoken at length in this House in the recent past on the measures themselves and the initiatives I have taken to modify them so as to minimise their impact on certain categories of people. I am committed to an ongoing review of the remaining measures and further adjustments considered necessary will be looked at in the context of the forthcoming budget.
Disability benefit is payable to those people who fulfil certain statutory conditions and who are unable to work due to illness. Those who have contributed to the social insurance fund or whose contributions are deficient may apply for supplementary welfare allowance.
The graduated payments of disability benefit were introduced as a consequence of the extension of social insurance coverage in 1991 to all workers, including part-time workers earning £25 a week or more. It would not be equitable to make full-rate payments of unemployment and disability benefit to persons with earnings as low as £25 a week. The payments made are scaled in such a way that they protect the person in times of sickness or unemployment at a rate that offers a similar or better standard of income. The introduction of graduated payments arose from the extension of coverage to people not previously covered.
It appears from the particulars furnished by the Deputy that the individual in question would have had average weekly earnings of less than £35. This would entitle him to a graduated personal rate payment of £25. In addition to this he would also be entitled to a further £21.70 in respect of his spouse and £25.60 for his two children, making a total weekly payment of £72.30.
Where a person has insufficient contributions or earnings to quality for a full social insurance payment, they may qualify for an assistance payment at a higher rate by way of unemployment assistance, if fit to work, or supplementary welfare allowance, both of which are payable subject to a means test.
