Vol. 569 No. 3
424 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if disability allowance will be increased to become 50% of the average national industrial wage; if, as a first step, the disability allowance will be brought into line with the contributory old age pension; and if this will be done in Budget 2004. [17406/03]
Since 1997, social welfare payments have increased substantially in real terms. During that period, the rate of disability allowance has increased by 45.6% compared with an increase of 26.6% in the cost of living during the same period.
Following a review of the national anti-poverty strategy, the Government set a target of achieving a rate of €150 per week, in 2002 terms, for the lowest rates of social welfare payments. The achievement of this target, re-iterated in Sustaining Progress, will significantly increase the value of payments to persons on low-incomes and at risk of poverty.
My priorities for budget 2004 will include making further progress towards implementing Government commitments in the social welfare area and responding, where possible, to the various proposals and concerns brought to my attention during the course of the budget process, having regard to available resources.
