Ms Catherine Joyce:

It is a balance between the two. We have to recognise the value of income supports which was proved recently by the Central Statistics Office figures which showed that without the family allowances, the at-risk-of-poverty rate for households with children would have increased from 18% to more than 38%. We have to recognise the value of income support in sustaining a level of income support, but we also agree that services are crucial in addressing the effects of poverty and disadvantage.