Chairman:

It would be appreciated if mobile phones were turned off or put in flight mode. Today's meeting has been convened to consider the Supplementary Estimate for Vote 37 - Employment Affairs and Social Protection, as referred by the Dáil to the select committee on 21 November. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, and her officials to this morning's meeting and thank them for the briefing material which has been circulated. I propose that the Minister will make an opening statement and members will then be afforded an opportunity to ask questions.

I remind members that, in accordance with Standing Orders, discussion should be confined to the items constituting the Supplementary Estimates. These are subhead A2, administration - non-pay; subhead A3, State pension (non-contributory); subhead A4, jobseeker's allowance; subhead A5, one-parent family payment; subhead A6, widow's-widower's (non-contributory) pension; subhead A7, deserted wife's allowance; subhead A8, basic supplementary welfare allowance payments; subhead A9, farm assist; subhead A10, pre-retirement allowance; subhead A11, other working age income supports; subhead A13, rural social scheme; subhead A14, Tús; subhead A17, back to work allowance; subhead A18, JobBridge; subhead A19, back to education allowance; subhead A20, Gateway; subhead A21, back to work family dividend; subhead A22, JobsPlus; subhead A23, wage subsidy scheme; subhead A25, disability allowance; subhead A27, carer's allowance; subhead A28, domiciliary care allowance; subhead A29, carer's support grant, subhead A30, child benefit; subhead A31, family income supplement; subhead A32, back to school clothing and footwear allowance; subhead A34, other child related payments; subhead A35, rent supplement; subhead A36, mortgage interest supplement; subhead A37, household benefits package; subhead A38, free trave:, subhead A39, fuel allowance; subhead A41, Office of the Pensions Ombudsman; and subhead A42, miscellaneous services.

Members should refer to the relevant subheads as they ask their questions. I ask the Minister to make her opening statement.