Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 28 September 2017

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Remit and Legislative Agenda: Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection

10:00 am

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is no problem.

The Senator also raised the old age pension increase and the increase in hours for social welfare recipients. Changes to the schemes we operate or payments we make will be considered in the context of the budgetary negotiations we are having and input is very much welcome from people. She will see the fruits of those negotiations in the next ten days. Fingers crossed that all goes well.

I am at pains in response to Senator Higgins to emphasise that I did not say it is a cop-out to say people can take the non-contributory pension. I totally recognise the issue that has been raised not just by her but by the entire committee. What I said was in direct response to Deputy Brady's comment that these were the most vulnerable pensioners. In most cases, they are not but that is not to suggest what she said is invalid. I agree with her. I would like to be clear that my comment on the non-contributory pension was in direct response to Deputy Brady. It is not a panacea for those who take home less on a weekly basis because of the current situation. There is not an ideological issue here where I say the Senator is wrong and I am right. I would love to be able to fix it but there are many competing good causes in the overall budget, which will not increase this year given the fiscal space is so low.

However, I hear the Senator loud and clear and I do not disagree with her.

I acknowledge the valuable work that carers do. Whatever we can do, as a State, to recognise the work they do and the contribution they make, over and above what we normally do in our normal daily lives with our children and our parents, in particular those who have exceptional needs, we will do. I want to acknowledge very clearly and be appreciative of the work that carers do. It is hard work, and I recognise that. Anything we can do to improve their situation is something I would be very keen to look at.

On the overall context of the report on social protection and lone parents, which I believe the chairperson gave me either on the day or the day after I was appointed, I reiterate that I do not need to be sold on this. I have huge admiration for anyone in this country, whether a man or, as is mostly the case, a woman, raising a family on his or her own because it is bloody hard work. Anything we can do, as a State, to support people in their endeavours to provide a better family life for their children and themselves, I am already sold on. The individual recommendations made in the report are all under consideration in the context of the budgetary discussions. I will do my very best to make sure this budget has a significant impact on people who are rearing children and families on their own. That is not just to talk about extra money but also about extra services. The Minister, Deputy Zappone, is equally and keenly aware of the difficulties, particularly with child care and the child care hours. In her deliberations, she will be taking into consideration the inputs from this committee through its report, which was very valuable.

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