Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 11:

In page 20, before section 24, but in Part 2, to insert the following new section:

"PART 2A

Reporting Requirements

"24.—The Minister shall provide that the following reports shall be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas within 3 months of the commencement of this Act:

(1) A report on the adequacy of each social welfare payment.

(2) A report on the eligibility criteria for the Disability Allowance.

(3) A report on reducing application processing time for social welfare supports.

(4) A report on the removal of the Habitual Residence Condition from the Child Benefit payment.

(5) A report on the progress made in tackling:

(a) Child poverty.

(b) Pensioner poverty.

(c) Lone Parent poverty.

(d) Poverty of the long-term unemployed.

(6) A report on increasing the Living Alone Allowance.

(7) A report on data security within the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

(8) A report on the nature of the anti-fraud initiatives that are in use or consideration for future use by the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

(9) A report on the possibility of extending the free travel scheme to include other services providers in relation to free travel benefits for people in rural areas.

(10) A report on the rationale for keeping Qualified Child Allowances at a low level over the past decade.

(11) A report on the amalgamation of any and all agencies into the Department and the rationale thereof.

(12) A report on the number of people who are unable to meet their mortgage repayments who are seeking mortgage Supplementary Support.".

I ask the Minister that a number of reports would be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. They include a report on the adequacy of each social welfare payment, the eligibility criteria for disability allowance, reducing application processing time for social welfare supports, and the habitual residency condition for the child benefit payment.

All those areas speak for themselves and, while I accept there have been increases in social welfare payments, the question arises as to whether they are just to meet the rising cost of living. I do not believe those increases are adequate.

The habitual residency condition for the child benefit payment is unfair. We have enshrined the rights of the child in our Constitution and this benefit should be equal and fair. I ask the Minister to address that issue when replying.

We spoke earlier about child poverty. That is also a worthy request. We spoke also about lone parents and how to incentivise people and get them off long-term unemployment. Some of my colleagues spoke about the value of the FÁS community employment schemes, asked that they be protected and that positions would be available for long-term unemployed people on CE schemes.

Subsection (12) in the proposed new section calls for a report on the number of people who are unable to meet their mortgage repayments who are seeking mortgage supplementary support. The Minister has already said that 7,000 people are in receipt of supplementary help from the Department of Social and Family Affairs but many more people will be looking for that help after Christmas. It has been said also that some employers are holding off making people redundant until after Christmas. I dislike using those words because of the fear being experienced by people.

We had a dramatic Order of Business earlier where Senator Harris called for a state of emergency to be declared. I believe we have no idea what is going on or how to deal with the crisis. I do not understand how it is of any advantage that a bank would repossess a home. The Minister referred to that issue earlier and in the lower House, Deputy Michael Noonan spoke about what is happening in the United Kingdom with the banks' moratorium on mortgage repayments and the interest payment guarantee.

Now that talks are taking place with the banks, we have the upper hand with them. We have bailed them out. Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have been most supportive because we need the banks. Now it is their turn to look after the people by being sympathetic and not putting pressure on unfortunate people who find themselves, through no fault of their own, without a job.

I am particularly anxious that subsection (12) in the amendment is fulfilled and that a report is issued on the number of people who are unable to meet their mortgage repayments. The full extent of that problem will not be visible until early in the new year.