Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
62. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection her response to the Commission on Taxation and Welfare's recommendation that the individualisation of payments made to qualified adults should be progressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50608/22]
View answerThe Commission on Taxation and Welfare Report states that further social welfare individualisation is necessary, specifically in relation to qualified adults whose partners are in receipt of means-tested social assistance benefits. In preparing this recommendation, the Commission had regard to the recent work by NESC and the report of the Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality.
The Commission recommendation builds on the commitment in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion to examine the feasibility of individualising welfare payments, through the provision of a direct payment to the second ‘dependent’ adult in a household, with a view to reducing co-dependency and improving employment and earnings outcomes.
My Department is currently preparing proposals for consultation on pay-related jobseeker's benefit and working age payment reform. The work of the Commission will feed into these proposals.
