Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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I welcome the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, and thank her for joining us. On 26 June the select committee considered the Revised Estimates for 2013 for the Department in the context of the existing policy and financial framework. Budget 2014 will be announced at the earlier time of October. The purpose of today's meeting is to engage with the Minister on the financial allocations being considered for 2014, the targets that arise from these allocations and related issues. I propose that the Minister make a brief opening address to outline the overall position on budget 2014. We will then proceed to question her on the overall budgetary position and the budgetary adjustments likely to be required before considering issues on individual programmes, including the social insurance fund and administration. I invite the Minister to make her opening address.