Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is reported in The Irish Times this morning that the date on which social welfare increases will come into effect next year has not yet been agreed. Understandably, this has been the subject of considerable debate on national and local radio this morning. In recent months, the Labour Party argued for social welfare payments to be at least indexed. I welcome the fact that indexation has been delivered, although for some reason child benefit has been excluded from indexation and will not be increased.

That said, I cannot recall a Minister's spokesperson making an announcement on budget day that the date on which social welfare increases were to take effect had not been agreed. Apparently, such a statement was made yesterday by the spokesperson for the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Leo Varadkar, who is seated beside the Taoiseach. An increase provided on 31 March 2017 will amount to €3.75 for the year rather than €5, while an increase provided on 1 March 2017 will be a little higher. The House needs to know what the position is before continuing with the debate on the budget. People who will make plans following this modest restoration of moneys also need to know exactly when increases in payments are to be made. Has an agreement been reached in government on the date on which all increases in social welfare payments will come into effect next year or do Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil intend to split the difference and have some sort of St. Patrick's Day gift?

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