David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for the helpful briefing provided by his officials today.

We have a booming economy and the Government is collecting unprecedented sums in both direct and indirect taxation. The CSO figures released yesterday show that almost one fifth of the population are at risk of poverty, while the National Disability Authority, NDA, has painted a picture that demonstrates people with disabilities are twice as likely to be at risk of poverty. Therefore, at a time such as this it is only right we make supports and help available to those in need and at risk. To a large extent, this has been done. In previous years we have berated Ministers and criticised them for not doing enough. When the money is available, it should be used constructively. The Minister challenged us to participate in a constructive debate. We will do so.

The CSO figures announced yesterday highlight the plight of many vulnerable groups. The figures show that 49% of lone parents, 47% of ill and disabled people, 37% of the unemployed and 36% of those living alone are at risk of poverty. The figures show a substantial drop in the rate of consistent poverty, which is welcome. However, much work remains to be done. Our aim should be to eliminate poverty and to do this we must target children.

I agree with the Minister when he says — he has said this consistently since he became Minister — that education is the way out of poverty. I am alarmed at the number who drop out of school each year without a qualification and who are unable to read and write. It seems the pressure exerted by poverty forces children to leave school to find low paid, dead end jobs. The Minister is moving in the right direction by improving the amount going into the homes of those under pressure. I am a little disappointed with him, however, because for some time he has been talking about a second tier payment. I was hoping we would see some movement towards this.

We all know the family income supplement, FIS, is an important and useful measure. However, the take-up is very low. Only 30% to 40% of those eligible take it up. Will the Minister tell us what measures he intends to take to ensure eligible persons who really need the supplement know about it and can access it easily? What percentage of those eligible to receive it have not claimed it? We all need to inform people in our constituencies that FIS is available and must work towards ensuring those eligible claim it. Many of those who have attended my clinics have told me they did not know about it and I notice from visits to many welfare offices that there are no notices displayed indicating it is available.

The Minister spoke about bringing together the CDA, FIS and the back to school clothing and footwear allowance in a second tier payment. I am disappointed that such a payment is not before us and that we do not have something imaginative and constructive in that regard. I urge the Minister to do what he can to bring this forward, even if he must introduce a new Bill before the summer. He should bring the payments mentioned together and present a package to inform people of what is available and from which they can benefit.

The Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs, ably chaired by my colleague, Deputy Penrose, heard a presentation by the National Disability Authority today. The authority painted a bleak picture on the situation of people with disabilities. We have much work to do.

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