Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask the Minister a general question on the policy of taxing social welfare benefits. Incrementally, over time more welfare benefits have become subject to income tax. In recent years the Revenue Commissioners began to talk properly to the Department of Social Protection on the taxation of the State pension and private pensions. Is it policy to move to a point where everything bar child benefit would be subject to income tax? Is there a policy direction on the taxation of welfare?