Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming to the House today with the report, as she promised. As she stated, it requires extensive debate. I am very disappointed over the time allocated for this debate, that is, an hour. Only 20 minutes remain of that hour. However, the report is to be before the Oireachtas committee where I will have time to discuss it in more detail. I hope it will return to the House for other Senators to make suggestions and proposals that might be taken on board.

The advisory group on tax and social welfare was established in June 2011 in line with commitments contained in the programme for Government. I commend the Minister on honouring that commitment. The review was long overdue. I know the public wanted this review because it is generally felt there are many people in receipt of child benefit who do not really need it.

The terms of reference of the advisory group required that all its work be carried out in the context of ensuring that the income support and tax systems incentivise people to take up work and contribute to a reduction in poverty, particularly child poverty. The report deals in detail with child benefit. It is some time since it was published. Perhaps the Minister will clarify if the group has concluded its work. I had expected the report to include recommendations on the family income supplement, qualified child allowance and so on. However, as the Minister mentioned in her speech that the group had examined social welfare benefits in the round, I presume what we are dealing with is a final report.