Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Creating jobs and tackling poverty are two of the key challenges that Ireland now faces and it is essential that our tax and social protection systems play their part in addressing these issues.

To this end and in line with commitments contained in the programme for Government, I established last year the advisory group on tax and social welfare, with the aim of harnessing expert opinion and experience to examine a number of specific issues and make cost-effective proposals aimed at improving employment incentives and achieving better poverty outcomes, particularly in dealing with child poverty. Total social welfare expenditure on children is some €3 billion this year. The group's overall method of working is based on producing modular reports on the priority areas identified in the terms of reference. The group commenced its work programme by prioritising family and child income supports and subsequently submitting its report to me. I am considering the findings of the group's report which I intend to publish n due course. The report is, therefore, not yet in the public domain and I do not propose to comment on it or disclose the recommendations of the group at this time.

The Government is conscious that child benefit, as a universal payment, is an important source of income for all families with children, especially during a time of recession and high unemployment. It is envisaged that any proposed change to the child benefit payment would be considered in the context of the annual budget and announced on budget day. Therefore, in line with normal practice, I do not intend to say anything about the Government's intentions at this time.

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