Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We have already had a detailed and thoughtful debate in the Seanad on the report. As the Deputy correctly said, the report will be discussed in some detail when it is presented before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection. It is important that as many Deputies as possible from all parties and none in this House should give the report serious consideration. The Deputy knows that I cannot indicate what budgetary decisions may be made at this time of the year. However, I am anxious to consider the impacts, particularly on those in low-paid work. I will take into consideration that many people in the 35-50 age group are at work with two or three children but have heavily indebted mortgages. We need to be aware, as I am sure the Deputy is, that child benefit is a very important cash payment to such families, some of whom may have no social welfare income because they were previously self-employed. I cannot give an indication of budget decisions now, but I can say that we are giving very careful consideration to all the different impacts of the changes suggested in the report, how they would be implemented and the timeframe to do so effectively.

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