Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In regard to the commitments made in the programme for Government on eliminating poverty traps, will the Taoiseach indicate when we can expect the legislation dealing with the proposal to tightly regulate moneylenders and debt collectors to be brought before the House? Also, in the programme for Government the Taoiseach said that the Government would divert staff from elsewhere in the public service to clear the social welfare appeals backlog and would introduce a consolidated appeals process. The situation with regard to social welfare appeals has got worse over the past year and a half. The situation is shocking and some people must wait 11 months before their appeals are heard. There is huge distress in this regard and people are in poverty because of the failure to progress appeals in a timely manner. The commitment in the programme for Government, in terms of diverting staff, has clearly not been implemented to a degree where it is having an impact on the waiting times for social welfare appeals. The delay is far too long and the length of time people must wait is disgraceful.

On page 23 of the programme for Government, the Taoiseach said that the household benefits packages would be put out to tender so that the Exchequer will benefit from reduced prices. Will the Taoiseach confirm that has not happened? Is it going to happen? Some household benefits were taken from pensioners last year, such as telephone and electricity benefits, which had quite a significant adverse impact on pensioners. This is the only change the Taoiseach has made with regard to household benefits. Why were these proposals included in the programme for Government when there is no indication they will ever see the light of day? What is the position on that particular commitment?

See this speech in context