Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I congratulate Deputy Ó Laoghaire on his new position as social protection spokesperson. I look forward to working with him. A few issues have been raised. On child maintenance, we accepted the group's recommendations regarding the social welfare system. We no longer assess child maintenance payments in the means test for social welfare schemes. I need to put legislation through for that but in the meantime we are applying it on an administrative basis. We are not taking account of it at the moment. We will apply it until such time as I bring the legislation through. Legislation is currently being prepared, which I hope to bring through very quickly and very shortly.

The Deputy mentioned reasonable accommodation, which is to support employers to kit out their offices to help people with disabilities. The Deputy is correct. I want this to be used and people to take up this support. I will create more awareness around it. It is there to be used and to help people with disabilities to take up employment and support the employer in making sure that their workplaces are accessible for people with disabilities.

I thank all the Deputies for their support for this short Bill. I will continue to work with them as Members of this House, the joint committee and organisations representing our most vulnerable groups to continue to improve the social protection system to alleviate poverty where we can, support people into sustainable employment and provide a social safety net for people throughout their lives. I reiterate that this Government understands the difficulties people face with the cost of living. Some €1.3 billion in supports were paid out before the end of last year, along with the €12 increase in the social protection payment across the board in January and the €200 lump sum paid last month to people on social welfare such as carers, people with disabilities and pensioners. I extended the fuel allowance to anybody aged over 70 based on renewed limits, which were increased up to €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple. I am glad people are taking up the offer of the fuel allowance. There is also the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance for which we are giving a lump sum payment next month.

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