Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

I refer to two Bills, one of which was raised by other Deputies. Given the scope of the proposed cuts being bandied about, the changes to eligibility for various allowances under the social welfare code and the much discussed means testing for child benefit, does the Minister for Social and Family Affairs intend to amalgamate the social welfare Bill with the social welfare lone parents and other low incomes families reform Bill which is to provide for the introduction of a new means tested payment for lone parents and other families on low incomes and will replace the one parent family payment? The legislative programme states that it is not possible to indicate when that Bill will be taken.

The social welfare Bill will make amendments to the social welfare code. Is it proposed to amalgamate both Bills in order that we can discuss those changes in the context of the budget? It seems the Minister suggested it will be before Christmas.

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