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

I thank the Minister for her response. In the course of her response - there is limited time here - the Minister stated how much the Department will spend on child income support, that the report has been published, and that a minority of the advisory group favours taxation and a majority favours a two-tier system. I know all that. I asked the Minister had she herself any views on the recommendations in the report, in other words, whether she is for or against it, and whether she is prepared to recommend it as the way forward albeit with some modifications.

The Minister will recall that she expressed concern here on a number of occasions about an apparent reluctance on our part to look at the question of targeting benefits payable under the social welfare scheme. This report provides for a method of targeting. Does the Minister support that?

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