Vol. 463 No. 7
30 Mr. Calley asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether the underlying principle of his policy on social welfare in the last two budgets was determined by financial restraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6973/96]
The two budgets introduced by this Government have been imaginative, reforming and balanced. In the area of social welfare policy, as in all other areas, they have reflected the principles set out in the Programme for a Government of Renewal agreed between the three Government partners.
No Minister for Social Welfare is able to do all he or she would wish to do. Prudent and effective management of the national finances is essential to ensuring that we can maintain a vibrant growing economy, with a stable currency, low interest and inflation rates, and a capacity to generate new and sustainable employment. This Government has demonstrated its commitment to keeping expenditure under control while providing additional resources to raise the standard of living of those living on low incomes.
This is demonstrated, in the 1995 and 1996 budgets with a strong commitment to rewarding work, promoting enterprise and, notably, to strengthening social solidarity, in the interests of all our citizens. The 1995 budget provided for the largest ever shift of resources to the social welfare area amounting to £212 million in a full year. The additional resources provided for social welfare improvements in the 1996 budget amount to some £160 million in a full year. That adds up to £372 million in two years.
Additional resources of that magnitude have enabled me to undertake a substantial programme of social welfare reform and improvement which is designed——
