Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 6 Nov 2003

Vol. 573 No. 5

Written Answers. - Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

25 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Finance his and his Department's responsibility to poverty proof the budget in advance of publication; the process by which this is undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25688/03]

Arising from a decision taken by Government in July 1998, there is a general requirement to poverty proof all significant policy proposals coming before Government. In addition, there was a specific commitment contained in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness to poverty proof budget tax packages.

The process of poverty proofing the budget income tax package has been carried out by my Department in each budget since budget 2001. It is carried out in accordance with guidelines for poverty proofing policy proposals prepared by the national anti-poverty strategy unit of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The budget booklet for each year outlines the exercise.

The impact on poverty is one criterion for assessing the budget. There are other acknowledged goals and targets such as increasing economic efficiency, rewarding effort and enterprise and encouraging capital accumulation, all of which improve economic welfare generally and are additional to the fundamental role of budgeting revenue and expenditure.

Barr
Roinn