One of the key issues underlying the development of the NAPS strategy is the adequacy of social welfare rates, attention to which has been central to the development of social welfare policy in recent years, to which the previous Government committed considerable resources. Let me give just two examples. In 1997 the lower rate of child benefit was just over €38 per month. By 2002 it had been increased to €117.60 – an increase of over 200%. In 1997 old age contributory pension was only €99 per week. After budget 2002, it stood at €147.30 – an increase of almost 50% – well ahead of inflation and increases in average earnings.