Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

My Department has a pivotal role to play in ensuring that the fruits of our economic growth benefit all, particularly those who are most vulnerable and in need of vital support. I am determined that the resources available to my Department will be targeted at delivering 21st century welfare supports which are characterised by recognition, compassion, activation and service throughout the range of allowances and benefits. I am actively pursuing a new social reform agenda that has at its core the ambition of reaching behind the welfare payments and addressing the social issues involved. My social policy reform agenda includes addressing issues such as child poverty, pensions, lone parents, job seekers and carers.

Child poverty is clearly a complex area requiring coordinated action across a range of services and income support payments. The development of income supports which can make the most effective contribution to alleviating child poverty lies within my Department's responsibilities and a series of budgets have increased considerably in real terms. The National Economic and Social Council has, during 2005, spent considerable time and effort in analysing this area.

The Government has made a number of commitments on pensions and significant progress has already been made. Overall pensions have increased by up to 81% since 1997 against a CPI increase of just under 31% in the same period. Significant increases in qualified adult allowances have also been given in recent years. I am examining the operation of our pension schemes with particular reference to the means test associated with the old age non-contributory pension. My aim is to provide choices to people in how they spend their later years and to ensure that the rules of our welfare schemes do not impinge on the choices people might want to make. I recently received the national pensions review on occupational pensions from the pensions board. This is before the Government and we will publish it shortly.

I intend to bring forward proposals to support and encourage thousands of lone parents in achieving a better standard of living. We are committed to ensuring that the long term unemployed and other welfare recipients have the opportunities they need to return to work. Supporting carers in our society has been a priority of the Government since 1997. The improvements we have made across the board provide the Government with a strong social policy reform agenda.

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