Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her good wishes. As I listened to the reply, and as I read the statement on Friday, I was reminded of a literary analogy. The Minister is familiar with George Orwell's Animal Farm and remembers the scene where the basic precepts by which the farm was to be ruled were written on a wall. Whenever it suited the ruling clique to breach one of the precepts, the animals noted that one or two words had been added or removed. The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste stated unequivocally that social welfare rates would be maintained. The programme for Government states: "We will maintain social welfare rates." The Minister referred to attending a meeting on Friday, in the presence of the media, at which she committed herself to maintaining core rates of social welfare. The word "core" had been added. Can the Minister enlighten us on what she means by core social welfare rates? The commitment gave a great number of people a great deal of comfort. I assume core social welfare rates includes jobseeker's allowance, jobseeker's benefit and old age pensions. Does it include carer's allowance, disability allowance, family income supplement and child benefit? Can the Minister give an assurance about the household benefits package? I am trying to ascertain precisely what the Minister meant by core and what it covers.

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