Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I do not recall using the term "headline rates of social welfare," but when I used the term "core social welfare payments" recently, I was referring to the primary weekly payments intended to enable those in receipt of them to meet their basic day-to-day income needs. The Department also makes a range of other payments on a weekly, monthly or less frequent basis. As a result of the fact that these are paid in addition to weekly income support payments, they are considered non-primary in nature. Members will be aware that, as a result of the Exchequer deficit and the fact that it is involved in a structural adjustment programme in order to secure funding for the country, the Government committed to raising additional revenues and reducing overall expenditure in 2013 and beyond. This is important not only in order that we can recover our economic sovereignty but also to ensure the social protection system will be sustainable into the future.

No decisions have been made at this stage as to how these very challenging budgetary targets will be met. However, as social protection accounts for 39% of gross current Government spending, restoring balance to the Government's finances will require a critical analysis of social welfare policy and expenditure. The programme for Government contains a commitment to maintain social welfare rates. The Government will finalise its consideration of the budget in the coming weeks, having regard to all of its commitments. The outcome of this process will be announced on budget day.

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