Enda Kenny
Question:450 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her legislative priorities for the remainder of the current Dáil; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2422/03]
Written Answers. - Legislative Programme.
While the full legislative programme for my Department for the current Dáil has not been finalised, I intend to bring forward a number of legislative initiatives over the coming months. Two Bills have been prioritised for progression in the current Dáil session, namely the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003 and the Civil Registration Bill.
The Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003, will be published very shortly. It will provide, inter alia, for the implementation of certain social welfare improvements announced in the Budget Statement of 4 December 2002 such as increases in the monthly rates of child benefit, increases in the respite care grant and extending the payment of child dependant allowances for certain recipients of short-term social welfare payments.
The Bill will also provide for a number of other changes to the social welfare code, and a number of technical amendments to the Pensions Act 1990 consequent on the enactment of the Pensions (Amendment) Act 2002.
The civil registration Bill, which is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, will provide a new legal framework for the registration of births, marriages and deaths. It will update the existing legislation, some of which dates back to the mid-19th century. The passing of this legislation is one element of the civil registration modernisation programme. This modernisation is a joint project between my Department and that of my colleague the Minister for Health and Children which is now nearing implementation.