Seymour Crawford
Question:19 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her legislative and administrative priorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4862/03]
Written Answers - Legislative Programme.
Mary Upton
Question:54 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the legislative priorities she has for the current session of Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4839/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 54 together.
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 has just been published. It provides, 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 also provides 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 Second Stage debate is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, 25 February.
The Civil Registration Service 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. It is my intention to bring this Bill to Government for publication soon.
On the administrative front, a fundamental priority is the effective and efficient provision of a quality service to all the Department's customers and stakeholders and to delivering value for money for the contributors and taxpayers who finance this. It is, therefore, my intention to continue the programmes of action to improve the quality of delivery of social welfare services which are being undertaken with the aim of making the system ever more efficient, professional and responsive to the needs of those who access it.