Written Answers. - Anti-Poverty Strategy.
Michael Bell
Question:
54
Mr. Bell
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
his views on the submission made by the Combat Poverty Agency to the national children's strategy in which it called for the elimination of child poverty over the next ten years and a minimum income standard of £30 to £40 for all children; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[10513/00]
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern): This Government is particularly concerned about children living in poverty. Consideration is being given to the introduction of further policy responses on a number of fronts to help ensure that our children are given the opportunity to break out of the poverty cycle.
The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness contains a number of commitments in relation to child welfare. In the context of the forthcoming review of the national anti-poverty strategy, new targets will be considered under various themes, including child poverty. These targets are to be considered in consultation with the social partners.
On a more general note, all policy proposals across Government Departments are poverty proofed to ensure that the needs of children, among other target groups, are kept to the fore in the design of policy.
With regard to the specific issue of the Combat Poverty Agency's suggested minimum income for children, this issue will be considered further in the light of the report of the working group on the benchmarking and indexation of social welfare rates, which will be set up in the context of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
This Government shares the view that child benefit represents a key instrument for tackling child poverty. As a universal payment, which is not taxable and is not assessed as means for other secondary benefits, it does not act as a disincentive to taking up employment or to improving wages.
The recent 2000 budget provides for a £106 million investment in child benefit. In addition, the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness contains a commitment to substantially increase child benefit over the lifetime of the programme, with a priority focus towards £100 per month for the third and subsequent children. From September, the basic child benefit monthly rates will have risen to £42.50 in respect of each of the first two children and £56 in respect of the third and subsequent children.
It is Government policy to ensure that everybody has the opportunity to participate fully in society and work is the key to achieving this objective for those who can work. The unemployment rate is now well below the EU average and the live register has fallen by over 90,000 since we took up office.
Long-term unemployment has fallen more rapidly than the live register as a whole and employment opportunities have increased. Measures such as the family income supplement have helped encourage parents back into the workforce. By increasing income from work, not just the individuals themselves benefit, but the families and communities in which they live.
