Vol. 426 No. 5
89 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the policy changes, if any, which underpin the increases or decreases in the subheads in Votes controlled by his Department; and if he will make a statement on whether increased or reduced services will be provided by his Department in 1993.
The overall policy underpinning the recently published 1993 Estimates of Expenditure for my Department is based on a continuing commitment to protect those who are dependent on the social welfare system. Resources have been made available in the Estimates to ensure that the level of services provided to those who depend on social welfare will be maintained throughout 1993. The question of increases in rates of payment is a matter for the budget.
The only changes provided for in the 1993 Estimates are adjustments to the PRSI criteria needed to requalify for a further period of unemployment benefit after the initial 15-month period has expired; a broadening of the legislation to extend the present 9 weeks disqualification to all persons who fraudulently claim benefit, whether they are prosecuted or not; and measures in relation to full-time students claiming unemployment assistance during holiday periods.
