Ivor Callely
Question:104 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare his current understanding of the living standards of social welfare recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22305/96]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Recipients.
The impact of the current rates of payment on the quality of life of social welfare recipients needs to be properly assessed in the light of up-to-date research in this area. For this reason, the Government's policy agreement of December 1994, A Government of Renewal, included a commitment to commission the Economic and Social Research Institute to review the minimum adequate income rates recommended by the Commission on Social Welfare in 1985. The ESRI report will, in addition, compare these calculations with current social welfare weekly rates and evaluate the extent to which any newly adopted rates would improve the effectiveness of social welfare payments in reducing income inequality. This report is due to be published by the end of this year.
The ESRI is also completing a report into poverty in the 1990s in Ireland. This study makes use of the 1994 living in Ireland survey to provide an updated picture of the extent of poverty in Ireland and who is affected. Both reports form part of a substantial programme of research being carried out at the ESRI, sponsored by the Department of Social Welfare and the Combat Poverty Agency.
Together with the national anti-poverty strategy, these studies will contribute to informing public debate on the issue of poverty, while also providing a basis for assessing the adequacy of the current rates of social welfare entitlements and the standard of living of social welfare recipients.