Ivor Callely
Question:104 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare the legislative and administrative priorities of his Department in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5275/96]
Written Answers. - Departmental Priorities.
My legislative priorities for 1996, at this stage, are the enactment of the Social Welfare Bill, 1996 and the Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 1995.
The Social Welfare Bill, 1996 which was published on 1 March, includes provisions for a disability allowance which will be administered by my Department in place of the existing disabled persons' maintenance allowance administered by the health boards, a one-parent family payment which amalgamates deserted wives' benefit and lone parents' allowance into a new uniform payment for all lone parents, a fundamental reform of unemployment assistance to make it more attractive for people to take up part-time work, an independent appeals system for supplementary welfare allowance and the availability of the social welfare tribunal at an earlier stage in trade disputes.
This Bill gives effect to the various improvements in the social welfare area announced in the budget including an increase of about 3 per cent in the weekly rates of payment, an overall increase of £5 per week in the personal rate of carers' allowance, a £2 increase in the rates of child benefit, an increase of £10 in the earnings thresholds for family income supplement and for a number of other improvements in the social welfare code. The Bill also provides for substantial concessions for employees, employers and the self-employed in relation to their PRSI contributions.
The Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 1995 provides for a number of improvements in the Pensions Act, 1990 which regulates occupational pension schemes. These improvements are being made on foot of a review of the practical effects of this Act by the pensions board.
On the administrative front the efficient and effective implementation of the various improvements being provided for in the Social Welfare Bill will be a priority. The transfer from health boards to my Department of responsibility for the administration of the disabled persons' maintenance allowance scheme will, in particular, be a major administrative task for the Department.
A major priority this year is the development of a national anti-proverty strategy. The strategy is being prepared in a widely consultative way and the consultation process is continuing. The feedback from the consultation process will be taken on board in the preparation of a major report for the United Nations to be completed before the end of 1996.
The work of the Commission on the Family is also a priority for 1996. The commission is required to improve understanding of issues affecting families, carry out relevant research and report to Government by mid-1997 on measures to strengthen the capacity of families in a changing environment. A wide ranging consultation process is under way at present.
Apart from implementing the improvements which have been provided for this year my Department will be continuing the payment of retrospective equal treatment payments which commenced in 1995. The determination of the balance of arrears due to the women concerned is a major task but one of my priorities is to ensure that this work is completed at the earliest possible date.
The maintenance of the existing social welfare payments system is of course, inself, a huge ongoing administrative task and a fundamental priority for the Department. In addition, it is my intention to continue the programmes of action to improve the quality of delivery of social welfare services which are being undertaken with the aim of making the system more efficient, professional and responsive to the needs of these who come in contact with it. The successful implementation of the new integrated computer system for short-term payments, including supplementary welfare allowance, will be a major development in this regard.