Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 2

Written Answers. - Budget Submissions.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

141 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will make a statement on the concerns expressed by the Irish Wheelchair Association (details supplied) in the pre-budget 2002 submission; and if each of their concerns will be addressed. [19133/01]

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

The Irish Wheelchair Association has raised a number of concerns in its 2002 budget submission, some of which do not come within my area of responsibility. For example, the question of eligibility for the mobility allowance and additional assistance for day resource centres are matters for which the Minister for Health and Children has responsibility.

On the question of increasing the level of the disability allowance and allowing carer's allowance to continue to be paid where the person being cared for works for 19.5 hours a week, the Irish Wheelchair Association's proposals will be considered in the context of formulating the 2002 social welfare budget package, having regard to the available resources and other priorities.

I should mention that the question of the level of social welfare payments generally is currently being examined by a working group established under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness to examine social welfare benchmarking and indexation. This group, which comprises representatives from each of the pillars of social partnership as well as representatives of relevant Government Departments, has recently produced an interim report, copies of which have been placed in the Oireachtas library. It is intended that the group will complete its work by the end of July 2001 and will publish its report shortly afterwards.

I look forward to receiving the group's final report which will inform future policy in this area.