Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Does the Minister agree it is time to review the benchmarking against which social welfare payments are set in order to ensure they are adequate to meet the cost of living needs — I emphasise "needs" — of those dependent on social welfare payments and their children? Did the Minister examine the report produced last year by the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice? If so, can he advise whether he has taken on board the recommendations contained therein regarding the minimum essential budget necessary for the various household formations that make up Irish society today?

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