Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The aggregate period for the payment of fuel allowance will be increased from 30 to 32 weeks from April 2009.

People of Working Age

The personal rates of all working age payments, including both the carer's benefit and the carer's allowance, are being increased by €6.50 per week from 1 January. This will bring the lowest full adult social welfare rate to €204.30 per week. The minimum rate of maternity and adoptive benefit is being increased by €8.50, to €230.30 per week.

Children

We are also increasing the qualified child rate by €2, to €26 per week and increasing the family income supplement thresholds by €10 per week per child. The full year cost of all these measures is €515 million.

Targeting Resources

Government policy is to target resources at those in greatest need. Universal entitlements irrespective of means do not target those in greatest need. In some cases there is a need to differentiate between those who have and those who have not. I am proposing in the budget this year to initiate action in this direction in some areas and to promote a wider debate in others.

The Government has decided to abolish the automatic entitlement to a medical card for those over 70 who are above the eligibility criteria.

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