Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2012
134 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection the aspects of its work the advisory group on tax and social welfare has reported on to date; if she will give details of the key findings; and when she will publish same. [28037/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraCreating jobs and tackling poverty are two of the key challenges that Ireland now faces. Against this background, it is essential that our tax and social protection systems play their part in addressing these issues.
To this end, I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare last year and in line with its terms of reference, the Group is examining and will be making recommendations on a range of key issues, including child and family income supports, working age income supports, the appropriate unit of assessment and interactions in both the tax and social welfare codes and issues concerning social insurance for self-employed people. I have also asked the Group to look at the Budget 2012 proposals concerning disability allowance and domiciliary care allowance.
The Group's overall method of working is based on producing modular reports on the priority areas identified in the terms of reference. Where possible, the aim is to provide recommendations that can be acted upon in time for the annual budget, estimates and legislative cycle and to allow the Government to best address its commitments under the EU-IMF Programme of Financial Support. Decisions in respect of publishing reports of the Group will be made at the appropriate time.
The Group recently completed its work in the area of family and child income supports. Its report is currently receiving my consideration and it is my intention to publish this report in due course.
