Jack Wall
Question:9 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the legislative priorities for her Department in advance of the Christmas recess; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19501/02]
Other Questions. - Legislation Programme.
The Government's legislation programme includes a number of initiatives in my area of responsibility. My priorities for the remainder of this year are the Civil Registration Service Bill and the Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill, 2002.
The Civil Registration Service Bill will provide for reform of the existing births, marriages and deaths registration legislation. This Bill will provide a legislative framework for the new modern civil registration system being implemented by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children. The first phase of this new system will be ready for implementation in January 2003.
The Bill is aimed at reforming and consolidating all civil registration legislation from 1844 into a single enactment. It will provide for the creation of electronic registers of marriage, adoption, stillbirths, divorce and civil nullity; the re-organisation of service delivery and the removal of current restrictions with regard to registration of life events and obtaining certificates; a new administrative structure for the General Register Office and the delegation of authority for certain tasks to regional authority level; and streamlining of procedures for registration of births, deaths and marriages. The Bill is currently being drafted by the parliamentary counsel's office and it is my intention to have the Bill published as soon as possible.
The Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill, 2002, will provide for the implementation of increases in social welfare payments and PRSI changes, if any, which will be provided for in the budget and which would be scheduled to take effect from January 2003. It would be my intention to introduce the Bill before the House in the first week of December. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service Bill was presented to the House on 9 March 2002 and is currently on the Order Paper.
With regard to the Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill, 2002, I know from past experience that it would be very valuable, in the coming weeks when the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs is established, if the Minister outlined to the committee – which was a very good one in the last Dáil – her priorities for 2003 in order that it may have a chance to examine them, irrespective of the amount of funding available from the Department of Finance. In general, I was disappointed with the legislation programme. There is little legislation under the remit of the Minister's Department, despite the huge issues which need to be addressed – some of which have been raised today – such as the targeting of children of very low income families in a programme for child benefit. It is disappointing that there is almost no legislation planned despite these problems.
It is particularly disappointing that the Public Service Broker Bill seems to be on the long finger because the Minister's predecessor indicated this would be a major Bill which would facilitate all our customers and constituents in relation to information, applications for schemes and so on, as we have discussed. This would truly introduce e-government to the Department of Social and Family Affairs, but seems to be on the back burner. I urge the Minister to introduce the Bill as soon as possible.
It is also disappointing not to see a MABS Bill, which is the fault of the Minister's predecessor. After five years we have a very good money, advice and budgeting service, but it has still not been placed on a statutory basis. I urge the Minister to consider as a priority the legislative programme of her Department and try to introduce some of these measures as soon as possible, liaising closely with the new Joint Committee on Social Affairs.
The Minister might also write and let us know what areas her Department lost to her colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív. I tabled a question today which was transferred to his Department. Second, when the legislation regarding birth and death certificates comes before the Dáil, I hope those who issue the certificates are paid. They were doing this as a favour to the State and should be paid something substantial. It is very valuable work and particularly helpful to those looking for death certificates and who have go to their community welfare officer. At one time these workers were only getting a pittance. I hope their services will be recognised in the new Bill.
Does the Minister agree that it was a scandal that when the medical card for the over-70s was introduced recently, the Government got it so badly wrong that it estimated that €19 million would cover it, when it actually took €32 million more? Will this new Bill see to it that at least the Government will know who is in the country, what age they are and what they are eligible for?
I am a bit confused by Deputy Crawford's question.
The Government got its estimates wrong for medical cards for the over-70s. It just did not have a clue.
That is not my responsibility, I am glad to say.
It is the Minister's responsibility to know—
As the Deputy knows, all those over 70 years of age are entitled to the household package scheme regardless of income. I will get the information about the transfer of functions for Deputy Ring. I would hate to mislead him or the House. With regard to birth certificates, this is a new idea which will be of benefit. My Department is in negotiation with those currently delivering the service. I hope there will be a fruitful conclusion to the matter.