Vol. 473 No. 3
195 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of Bills published by his Department in 1996; the comparative figure in this regard for 1993; and the Bills which will be published in the first three months of 1997. [25000/96]
My Department published three Bills in 1993 which were enacted by the Oireachtas in that year. One Bill was published in 1996 and this Bill, together with the Pensions (Amendment) Act which was published in December 1995 were enacted in 1996.
I am very pleased to have been able to have two Bills enacted this year. The Social Welfare Act, 1996, provided for a number of major improvements including the introduction of a new disability allowance which replaced the disabled person's maintenance allowance and a new one-parent family payment which will replace the lone parent's allowance and deserted wife's benefit with effect from the beginning of January next. This Act also provided for a number of significant pro-employment measures including: a reform of the manner in which earnings from employment are assessed for unemployment assistance purposes; a £10 per week increase in the family income supplement earnings thresholds which provided recipients with an increase of £6 per week; a reduction from six to three months in the minimum period which the employment is expected to last to qualify for family income supplement; and the retention of child dependant allowances for up to 13 weeks in the case of people unemployed for 12 months or more who take-up employment.
