Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The whole area of support for children and families is a hugely important one. When child benefit and the various child support payments are taken into account, the State is currently spending approximately €2.8 billion. As everyone is aware, a public debate has been going on for some time about the best way to direct and spend that money. The Minister for Social Protection commissioned the report that was published yesterday, the Mangan report. She has been engaged in discussions with other Departments about the report and how its recommendations should be addressed.

The intention now is that the Minister for Social Protection will bring the report to the Oireachtas committee where there will be an opportunity to debate and discuss it. If Deputy O'Dea wishes, I am sure there can be a full debate on it here in the House. The Minister for Social Protection is anxious that there would be a full discussion and that the opinions of all political parties, interest groups and those who are interested in the issue would be aired and addressed. The Government has not taken any decision on the contents of the report. That would be to prejudge the discussion that will take place at the committee, in the House and among the wider public.

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