Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
116 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will implement the NAPS commitment that the lowest social welfare payment for a single person will be benchmarked to 30% of gross average industrial earnings by 2007. [17545/04]
View answerThe revised national anti-poverty strategy, Building an Inclusive Society, was launched by the Government in February 2002. The key objectives of the strategy are to reduce, and ideally eliminate, consistent poverty; build an inclusive society; and develop social capital, particularly for disadvantaged communities. The strategy sets out a range of targets in the areas of income adequacy, employment and unemployment, education, health, and housing and accommodation. In addition, specific targets have been established in respect of groups identified as being particularly vulnerable to poverty.
In relation to the issue of income adequacy in particular, the target set in the revised NAPS is to achieve a rate of €150 per week in 2002 terms for the lowest social welfare rates by 2007. The target has been restated in the national action plan against poverty and social exclusion for 2003 to 2005 and in Sustaining Progress. The Government remains committed to the achievement of this target.
The issue of the level of increases introduced in any given year is one which must be assessed in the context of the budgetary process, having regard to the level of resources available and the competing demands on those resources. In this regard, it should be noted that the increases provided for in the budget from 2004 fully protect or enhance in real terms the standard of living of all social welfare recipients.
