Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am supporting this Bill. The Social Welfare Bill proposes to give effect to social welfare and related matters as announced in budget 2016. These include measures to provide an increase in the maximum payment rate for weekly social protection payments. The Bill provides for an increase in the weekly rate of maternity and adoptive benefits and that has to be welcomed. There are always limits in resources for the budget but the Minister has given priority to areas which are particularly important. The Bill also proposes to increase the earnings thresholds for working family payments and makes amendments to maternity leave and benefits. This is also excellent, particularly in cases of premature births in which regard it is timely and appropriate. It also seeks to make amendments to the National Training Fund Act 2000. I thank the Minister for increasing the rate of farm assist, albeit only by a moderate €5. It is an important gesture in the right direction.

I wish the Minister well and this Bill is worthy of support. There are proposed changes to social insurance and social assistance payments, which are set out in the memorandum and which were touched on by the Minister in her speech. It is a beginning and I know she would like to increase it by more in the future. I acknowledge her work. This is the first time I have had the opportunity to speak directly to the Minister and I wish to acknowledge the responses of her and her Department to the representations we make on social protection issues. I am always highly impressed that we get an acknowledgement within days and then there is a follow-up, including a personal follow-up from the Minister with her signature on it. It makes a difference when a Minister takes an interest in public representatives who make representations. The other day, I asked why somebody could not do as the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty, does and they replied that she was a tough taskmaster. I said that was fantastic as it meant she got things done. She is on a mission and fair play to her. It is great for public representatives to have a strong working relationship with a Minister as committed as Deputy Doherty.