Vol. 459 No. 6
144 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Social Welfare the level of increase of child benefit that could be paid per child if child benefit were treated as taxable income on taxable earnings in excess of £25,000, £30,000, £35,000, £40,000 and £50,000 and if the tax take in each of the above categories were used solely for child benefit improvements. [18487/95]
145 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of people with earnings in excess of £25,000 in receipt of child benefit; the number of people with earnings in excess of £25,000 who are claiming for one child, two children, three children, four children, five children or more; and if he will give similar information for people with earnings in excess of £30,000, £35,000 and £40,000. [18488/95]
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.
Child benefit is a universal payment, payable to all families with children and is not means-tested or income-related. Consequently, statistical information is not available to my Department in a form to enable the questions regarding the incomes and the income tax liabilities of families on child benefits to be answered. It is estimated however, that some 12 per cent of recipients of child benefit have incomes of more than £25,000.
146 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare his views on whether a 10 per cent increase in social welfare benefits is warranted in 1996; if he will implement such an increase; and if he will make a statement on his efforts to date to secure such an increase. [18499/95]
The rate of social welfare payments are reviewed on an annual basis and increases considered in a budgetary context.
The programme, A Government of Renewal, includes a commitment to commission the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) to review the minimum adequate income rates recommended by the Commission on Social Welfare in 1985. The review will be completed by mid-1996.
Other initiatives such as that of the expert working group on the integration of tax and social welfare and the national anti-poverty strategy, will form the basis for the formulation of proposals for developing our social support systems in the years ahead.
147 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Social Welfare the progress, if any, that has been made with regard to the benefit entitlements for share fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18734/95]
Share fishermen who are employed under a contract for service were formerly insurable for all benefits before the legislation concerned was ruled to be ultra vires under a High Court judgment in February 1992.
As a result of the ruling, they are now insured as self-employed persons for a limited range of benefits.
