Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 November 2004
97 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will reverse all of the social welfare budgetary cuts introduced in the past 12 months by his predecessor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28132/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra106 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of persons affected by each of the social welfare cutbacks announced in the Book of Estimates in 2003; the number who were receiving each of the social welfare payments and are not doing so now as a result of the changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28192/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra206 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he intends to reverse in full the cuts imposed in social welfare in Budget 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28463/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 97, 106 and 206 together.
The Estimates for the Department of Social and Family Affairs announced last November included a number of provisions to better target resources within the social welfare code. It is not possible to quantify precisely the numbers affected by the measures in question in that where disallowances or reduced entitlements occur, the specific reasons for such are not recorded on payment systems in a way which facilitates production of the information requested.
While data are regularly available on the numbers in receipt of all payments, simple comparisons of such numbers would not reliably indicate the number of persons affected by the measures. The number in receipt of any particular scheme can and does fluctuate for a wide variety of reasons, for example, seasonal factors in the case of unemployment. Furthermore, in many instances, individuals who may have been affected by a particular measure could have availed of alternative support.
My Department is currently reviewing the measures in question. It is expected that this review will be completed in the near future and I will bring forward proposals, if appropriate, in the light of the findings of the review.
