Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 6, before section 3, to insert the following new section:

"3.—The Minister for Social and Family Affairs shall within 3 months of the commencement of this Act lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas a report on the effectiveness of Child Benefit and Child Income Support as a tool for tackling child poverty.".

This amendment asks the Minister to return to the House in three months' time to report on the effectiveness of child benefit and child income support as a tool for tackling child poverty. The Minister is aware that in 2001 the Government promised to spend €1.27 billion on child benefit over three years. The Government delivered on that promise for the 2002 budget but failed to do so in 2003. It promised to deliver in the budgets for 2004 and 2005.

The Minister will say he has done well and I admit that child benefit has improved greatly over the past years. However, given that it is one benefit which genuinely helps to tackle child poverty, I would like to see the promise given to people fulfilled in full as quickly as possible, certainly by next year. I am disappointed it was not fulfilled this year. I would like to hear what the Minister has to say and how he will deal with the matter in the future.