Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Community; Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on recently published Central Statistics Office figures on poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46069/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The annual survey on income and living conditions, SILC, published by the CSO is the official source of data on national poverty indicators, such as at-risk-of-poverty, material deprivation and consistent poverty. The SILC poverty figures for 2009, published on 25 November last, provide the first indications of the impact of the economic crisis on living standards and poverty levels. The at-risk-of-poverty rate was 14.1%, a decrease from 14.4% in 2008. The fact that the at-risk-of-poverty rate did not increase and, despite the rise in unemployment, actually fell slightly highlights the key role of social transfers in ensuring minimum living standards in times of economic difficulty.

The consistent poverty rate of 5.5% in 2009 is a slight increase from the 2008 level of 4.2%. While disappointing, this trend must be seen in the context of the continuous decline in consistent poverty since 2003, when the rate was 8.2%. The 2009 rate is comparable to the 2007 figure of 5.1% and is lower than the 2006 rate of 6.5%. The long-term trends in regard to consistent poverty indicate that the Government's poverty reduction target, set out in the national action plan for social inclusion 2007 to 2016, remains on track. In fact, the 2009 SILC results show some vulnerable groups such older people have a consistent poverty rate of 1.1%, which is below the interim target of a 2% to 4% consistent poverty rate by 2012.

In meeting the current economic challenges, the Government is committed to prioritising those who are the most vulnerable and to protect, as far as possible, front line services in marginalised communities. The overriding objective now is to restore economic growth and maximise employment in order that the recent progress made in tackling poverty can be continued and that the goals in the national action plan for social inclusion regarding an inclusive and fair society can be achieved.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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In view of the fact that 443,000 people are currently unemployed, does the Minister accept that if the survey were carried out now or early in the new year, when the budget cuts will take effect, the results would be altogether different?

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The impact of this year's budget will be apparent in the near future. I would not like to anticipate what will be the outcome in this regard. However, what emerges will obviously inform the process of policy formation in the months ahead.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister admit that the recent budget and the policies outlined in the Government's national recovery plan will do nothing to alleviate the situation and will only serve to increase the gap between high earners and those who are struggling to cope on a daily basis?

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The findings currently available indicate that each of the budgets from 2008, including that introduced last week, have been very progressive. In other words, those who are in a position to pay most are being obliged to do so and those on lower incomes are being protected as far as is possible. The ESRI reports that have been published since I entered the Department indicate that all groups, particularly the elderly, have benefited significantly from social transfers. When issues relating to family income supplement, entitlement to medical cards, etc., are factored into the equation, there will be a better indication of the impact of the recent changes on particular groups.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Have the Minister or any of his Government colleagues been involved in discussions regarding the plight of voluntary organisations as Christmas approaches? Will funding be provided for these organisations in order that they might provide assistance to people who have fallen into poverty? Groups such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are pleading for funding so that they might try to attempt to deal with the crisis that exists. I was informed about one instance where the amount being paid out by a particular group rose from €5,000 to €50,000 in one week. What will the Government do to provide solace to such groups through the provision of funding as Christmas approaches, given that the Christmas bonus has been done away with? The opposite to that is that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is paying this now instead of the Government. Have there been discussions to alleviate this position?

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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While virtually all charities certainly will state they are under pressure, I can confirm to the House that for quite a number of years, my Department has been giving assistance to the bigger charities, some of which were named by the Deputy. Moreover, only today I approved the payment of further moneys to the same organisations that have been funded heretofore to address the issues that are arising and have arisen previously.