Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 3

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Spending.

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

The following table contains the information sought by the Deputy:

Year	Total Social WelfareExpenditure(£m)	ExchequerBalance(£m)
1996	4,377	-436
1997	4,524	-235
1998	4,763	747
1999	4,948	1,192
2000	5,370	2,403

Against the background of the significant reduction in unemployment recorded over the 1996-2000 period, total spending on social welfare increased by almost 23 per cent. At the same time, the Exchequer balance moved from a deficit position to one of healthy surplus. During the Government's period in office, I have introduced four budgets, each of which has contained a social welfare package involving higher spending than the previous one. For instance, Budget 2001 provided for increased social welfare spending of £850 million in a full year, or more than double the Budget 2000 package, which itself was a record.

Under my budgets the payment rates for pensioners have increased by £28 per week, and by £18 per week for other categories and the payment dates have been advanced to coincide with the start of the tax year, eligibility for the social welfare free schemes has been extended to all those aged 70 years and over, the arrangements and support in relation to carers have been significantly improved, the supports available to families have been increased considerably, including an unprecedented level of increase in child benefit payments which will see an additional £1 billion spent in this area over the next three years. These are some examples of how this Government has committed itself to promoting social inclusion and improving the quality of life of the less well off in society.