Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 4, before section 3, to insert the following new section:

"3.—The Minister shall, as soon as may be after the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report:

(a) contrasting the increase in 2003 of the Consumer Price Index with the

increases paid to the entitled persons under the Act of 2003;

(b) evaluating the suitability and appropriateness of the items and

weightings used by the Central Statistics Office in computing the rates of increase in the Consumer Price Index to the needs of the principal category of entitled persons under the Principal Act; and

(c) setting out the Department's assessment of those groups potentially

most seriously affected by significant inflationary pressures which may arise because of internal and external factors in 2004.".

The amendment is concerned with the consumer price index which, in many instances, takes into consideration luxury items such as cars and holidays. However, the increases that affect the poor are mostly increases in the price of electricity, food and other items. Those areas should be taken into account for those on social welfare and luxury items should be omitted.