Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Nov 1998

Vol. 497 No. 2

Written Answers - Anti-Poverty Strategy.

John Gormley

Question:

53 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his views on figures released recently by his Department which confirm that 57,000 adults are in receipt of incomes which are less than the target rates set by the Commission on Social Welfare in 1986; and the implications for this level of documented impoverishment in view of his and the Government's commitment to the implementation of a national anti-poverty strategy. [19104/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

This Government views the creation of an inclusive society, where everyone has the opportunity and the incentive to participate, as a key objective. In formulating proposals for the 1999 budget, the Government will be aiming to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared by all.

With specific regard to bringing all social welfare payment rates to the minimum levels recommended by the Commission on Social Welfare, current policy in this area is determined having regard to the commitments contained in Partnership 2000 and the National Anti-Poverty Strategy, namely, that the recommended rates will be implemented by the end of 1999.

Substantial progress has already been made in this regard. The 1998 budget provided for a general increase of £3 per week for some 560,000 social welfare recipients aged under 66 years, withpro rata increases for a further 6,000 people on reduced rate contributory payments, together with a 3 per cent increase, in general, in the rates from some 144,500 qualified adults.

These increases mean that payments to over 797,900 recipients, representing 93.5 per cent of all recipients, are about or above the minimum recommended rates, while payments to a further 57,000 recipients of short-term social assistance, equating to 6.5 per cent of the total, are still about 3 per cent below the target rate.

The question of future increases in social welfare payments will be considered by the Government in a budgetary context, having regard to available resources and the commitments made in the National Anti-Poverty Strategy, Partnership 2000 and the Government's Action Programme for the Millennium.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to achieving the targets set out in the National Anti-Poverty Strategy — including, as I have said, achieving the minimum rates recommended by the Commission on Social Welfare. The Government's resolve to tackle the issue of social exclusion can be seen in the recent decision that all significant policy proposals should be examined to assess their impact on those in poverty or at risk of falling into poverty. This decision is reflected in the updated Government procedures booklet which was recently circulated to all Departments.