I assure the Deputy that I am aware of the observations of the United Nations committee. These were provided in response to the submission of Ireland's first report under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which refers to developments occurring in the period to 1996. However, the UN, in its observations, did not confine itself to that period but also to the 1996-99 period, on which it had solicited information.
The groups mentioned by the committee, such as people with disabilities and single women with children, are among those identified in the national anti-poverty strategy as being at particular risk of poverty. Consistent poverty stands at between 7% and 10%, and such groups as the disabled, retired and those on home duties, accounting for the majority of the groups referred to by the Deputy, have benefited from the overall reduction in the numbers of consistently poor.
In response, the Government announced a new consistent poverty target of less than 5% by 2004. The achievement of this would mean we will have made significant progress in our strategy on social inclusion. Social welfare payment rates remain a central factor in determining trends in poverty. The Government is committed to at least maintaining the value of social welfare payments in real terms and, indeed, in recent years there have been significant increases in excess of inflation. Between 1997 and 2000, social welfare payments increased by 16% to 23% compared to a total rise in the consumer price index of just over 6% during the same period. In addition, all social welfare rates are now at or above the minimum rates recommended by the Commission on Social Welfare, meeting a key target of both Partnership 2000 and NAPS.
As part of our recent review of this Government's action programme we have reaffirmed our commitment to increase the old age contributory pension to £100 per week, undertaken to increase also the non-contributory pension to this level by 2002 and committed ourselves to increasing all social welfare pensions in line with average earnings over the lifetime of this Government.
Increases of this nature reflect a real improvement in the living standards of those dependent on welfare payments which, together with the dramatic progress made in terms of employment creation, have provided substantial real increases in the incomes of lower income households and a marked reduction in deprivation.
Finally, the recent budget provides for an additional full-year investment of almost £106 million in child benefit, bringing the total full-year cost of the scheme to some £580 million per annum. This reflects the value the Government places on the scheme as an effective vehicle for tackling poverty.
