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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 6

Written Answers - Sustaining Progress Agreement.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

40 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will report on the implications for her Department from the commitments entered into with the social partners in the Sustaining Progress Agreement. [8405/03]

The sustaining progress agreement has been ratified by the majority of the social partners. It contains a number of specific commitments which are of relevance to my Department.

A distinctive feature of the new agreement is the identification of ten special initiatives which will be the subject of sustained effort from all parties over its lifetime. Most notably, from the perspective of poverty and social inclusion, these initiatives will cover issues such as child poverty, housing and accommodation, migration and interculturalism, unemployment and vulnerable workers, educational disadvantage, caring and alcohol-drug misuse.
The identification of these key areas in the agreement reinforces the shared commitment of all the parties to the achievement of the objectives and targets set out in the revised national anti-poverty strategy – Building an Inclusive Society – launched in February 2002.
The main commitments contained in agreement which will have implications for my Department include: the achievement of a new benchmark for the lowest social welfare payments of €150 per week by 2007 in 2002 terms; assisting in combating long-term unemployment; examining child income support arrangements including, for example, merging the child dependant allowance with the family income supplement in the context of addressing child poverty; the target level of basic child income support to be set at 33% to 35% of the minimum adult social welfare rate; the final phase of the planned multi-annual increases in child benefit rates to be completed in 2004 and 2005; the office for social inclusion to develop a data strategy as provided for in NAPS; improvements in the level of social welfare pensions to reach a target of €200 by 2007; progressing increases in the qualified adult allowance for pensioner spouses to the level of the old age non-contributory pension; a study to examine the future financing of long-term care in Ireland; development and promotion of the information remit of the family services agency; and preparation of a national programme to mark the tenth anniversary of the international year of the family.
My Department will play a leading role in supporting a range of initiatives to progress other commitments under the agreement including: the social inclusion consultative committee which will involve the social partners and anti-poverty experts in the ongoing review of the NAPS as appropriate in the context of the NAPSInc process; a Government sponsored information and awareness campaign to promote and encourage supplementary pensions provision amongst workers which will be undertaken by the pensions board in 2003; a review of the qualifying conditions for the old age contributory and retirement pensions, incorporating proposals for the development of the existing homemaker's scheme planned for publication in 2003; a national longitudinal study of children in Ireland and other appropriate research aimed at monitoring changes in the family and family life on an ongoing basis to inform policy development. This is a joint initiative with my colleague the Minister for Health and Children; the drafting of the legislation addressing the equality aspect of occupational pensions will be progressed in consultation with the pensions board in 2003 with a view to enactment in early 2004; a working group established under the PPF to produce proposals for the development of a fully inclusive social insurance model which would facilitate combining work and family responsibilities in the context of a changing working and social patterns group that will complete its examination and prepare a report; appropriate measures to be taken in the light of poor equity market returns to pension funds to ensure the protection of all existing pension arrangements; and continuing commitment to electronic Government and the modernisation of the public service. Work is already under way in relation to many of these commitments.
For example, the family support agency will be established shortly. A study to examine the future financing of long-term care in Ireland will be published this year. Preparations to extend the strategy outlined in the national employment action plan are under way in my Department in conjunction with FÁS.
Work on the data strategy has commenced and is being supported by a technical advisory group comprising representatives of key Departments, the CSO, the Combat Poverty Agency and the ESRI.
In relation to the working group on the fully inclusive social insurance model, my Department will consult with the social partners with a view to reviewing progress, completing the examination of the issues raised and preparing a final report.
The Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003 contains an amendment to the Pensions Act 1990. This was carried out to ensure that the pensions board is in a position to respond to the current funding challenges facing defined benefit schemes as a result of the fall in the value of pension assets, on a case by case basis, and in a way which is in the best interests of members of such schemes.
In looking forward and building on the progress made to date, my Department has committed itself to continuous and responsive improvements in its services delivery and the management of performance. Its new strategy statement, covering the period 2003-05, will soon be published. It will reflect the content and direction of the commitments set out in this area in sustaining progress.
I am confident that the implementation of the new social partnership agreement, allied to the achievement of the existing targets set out in NAPS, will ensure that we will make real and tangible progress towards the achievement of a fair and inclusive society.
Question No. 41 answered with Question No. 21.
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