Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)

On the BTEA and the BTWEA, the changes which bring the qualifying period for both allowances back to two years is to be welcomed. This has had the effect of undoing some of the drastic cuts that were made in 2002, even though I would regard the revised limit as a halfway house towards the provisional limit of one year and 15 months, respectively.

Many unemployed people will be enabled to avail of employment opportunities and perhaps even start their own business. I am happy to note that there has been a change in criteria so that the time in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance can be counted towards the qualification requirements for both the BTEA and BTWEA payments. The income limit threshold of €317 per week for the retention of secondary benefits has not been increased in this year's budget and this was the 12th budget in a row without an increase in the limit.

Inflation forces in the interim have warranted a considerable increase in this limit, which is long overdue. Relative income poverty or the "at risk of poverty" indicator identifies those on an income of less than 60% of the median income threshold for society as a whole as at risk of poverty. Some 19.4% of the population was at risk of poverty in 2004, which was a slight reduction from the 2003 level of 19.7%. Households most at risk of poverty include lone parent households, large families, people living alone and people in rented accommodation. The first three of these groups are among those experiencing the highest levels of consistent poverty. It is clear that the social welfare transfers have the effect of halving the at risk of poverty rate from 39% to 19%. The importance of social transfers for the 65 plus age group can be seen in that such transfers have reduced their risk of poverty from 87% to27%.

I hope the additional powers that will allow the Pensions Ombudsman to investigate pension schemes on their own initiative will result in those firms who are acting fraudulently being exposed. The Minister referred earlier to building firms not getting public contracts, which is important. It is up to public representatives to monitor this.

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