Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I ask Mr. Hanan to elaborate on that statistic. What type of deprivation is being experienced? How has it changed since the recession began in the past five years? The national anti-poverty strategy stipulates a requirement for poverty-proofing. I am interested in hearing the views of the delegates on how this operates. A number of measures have been introduced and it is not clear how they are being poverty-proofed. I refer in particular to the property tax which is applicable to all property, regardless of the income of the family involved. I wonder how that would pass muster with any poverty-proofing. I do not think poverty-proofing is given high priority in some of the measures which are being introduced. I ask the delegates to explain their views on the strategy.

The EAPN proposes that taxes should be increased. I ask for information on those proposals. The social welfare system is the safety net for families dealing with unemployment who do not have any other means of looking after themselves. I ask the delegates to speak about the contrast between the system here and the British system. There is a difference in the level of benefits paid. The payments are much lower in the British social welfare safety net. What are the consequences for levels of poverty here and in our nearest neighbour and in the Six Counties? I am interested in hearing further details about the types of deprivation and how these have changed.