Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

As I understand it the Minister presented a memorandum to the former Government. I understand the outcome of that was that there were to be discussions between him and the then Minister for Finance but in the event nothing got changed or amended. I am introducing this amendment today in regard to family income supplement to ensure that in the case of low paid families in work in particular the USC is taken into account.

Regarding the further elements of the amendment, it is not possible at this time to extend it because of the cost factors involved but also, as the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, stated, the intention of the Government in the programme for Government is to review the universal social charge.

In addition, I am establishing a commission on the interaction of social welfare and taxation which will be announced in the next week or so and one of the issues to be considered by that commission is the complications around employment traps, particularly for families on low income, and issues like rent supplement.

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