Vol. 540 No. 2
69 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the publication date for the report by the Social Welfare Benchmarking and Indexation Working Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20096/01]
I understand that the Social Welfare Benchmarking and Indexation Group, established under the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, is aiming to conclude its deliberations at the end of this month. While no exact date has been set, I understand that the group will present its final report shortly thereafter.
An interim report was published by the group in April which set out the main issues which are being addressed by the group. Copies of this report are available in the Dáil Library and it is also published on my Department's website.
The terms of reference of the group require it to examine the issues involved in developing a benchmark for adequacy of adult and child social welfare payments, including the implications of adopting a specific approach to the ongoing uprating or indexation of payments, having regard to their long-term economic, budgetary, PRSI contribution, distributive and incentive implications, in light of trends in economic, demographic and labour market patterns; and examine the issue of relative income poverty. It is clear that these complex issues require a thorough analysis and, to that end, the group has been meeting fortnightly since December 2000. I understand that the group is currently progressing the final report drafting process.
