Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Shortall ignored the increases that were introduced in the budget. The Department's own budget for next year will be €19.6 billion, an increase of 15.5% on the figure for last year. We are aware of the pressures that will come to bear, particularly in the context of the live register and the unfortunate situation in which people are finding themselves. The rise in the numbers on the live register will alone account for €1.25 billion of the planned increase for next year. Notwithstanding the terrible economic pressures and financial difficulties that exist, the budget included an amount of €515 million in respect of increases in social welfare rates for next year.

It will, at all times, remain our aim to try to give as much as possible to as many people as possible who are dependent on social welfare payments. In light of the changed economic circumstances, however, we have been obliged to ensure that there is a relationship between the number of hours people work and the amount they receive in social welfare payments in order to ensure that the social insurance fund will remain capable of meeting the demands placed upon it. We will continue our efforts in respect of policy issues relating to lone parents, the carer's strategy, etc.

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