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]
Vol. 462 No. 7
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]
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.