Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Most sections of the Bill allow for increases in social welfare payments or else introduce other technical or other necessary measures, including some from the 2017 Bill. They are welcome but it is a pity that the increases will not be paid until the end of March. What is so magical about March, particularly when there are so many other increased costs, notably on energy, over the cold winter months? It seems these delays are almost policy, they have become so commonplace but I urge the Government to avoid this in future. I expect the rationale is to save money, while dangling the reward of the carrot in five months. Where increases in payments are necessary and announced as part of the budget, they are needed immediately, not five months after they are announced.

I welcome the full exemption of age-related jobseeker payments for young jobseekers in State care. This was an important move, which was sought for some time and is welcome. I ask the Government to consider the age-related jobseeker payments and the impact of the reduced payments on those between 18 and 24 years. These reduced payments are a proven contributory factor in homelessness. We can see that from the homelessness figures and many organisations representing homeless people have said that this discrimination in the system is having an impact. It is ensuring young people are trapped in homelessness. They are setting up tent villages on wasteland across this country, mostly hidden away from society. There is a large embankment, hidden behind trees, at the Luas line in Rialto. They are directly affected by the lack of an increase in payments for 18 to 24 year olds. I urge the Minister of State to consider how we are neglecting them.

Every year the gap between jobseekers is widened based on age which makes it increasingly difficult to close. It is deeply regrettable that the Minister continues with this failed policy of discrimination against our youth, introduced by Fianna Fáil, and it ignores the impact it is having on young people. This discrimination based on age must end.

What is the basis on which social welfare increases are decided? I am aware the Minister engages with organisations in a pre-budget forum, which is welcome. One key finding brought to the Minister’s attention at the pre-budget forum was benchmarking in respect of adequacy. The Minister should examine the Social Welfare Commission Bill 2018, which my colleague, Deputy John Brady, recently introduced in the Dáil. That Bill would take the political football out of the budget process every single year. It would ensure that vulnerable households receive an income that is adequate to meet their needs and would result in an adequate standard of living. This is a very basic objective for our social protection system and I urge the Government to consider the Bill. It was drafted with engagement from many stakeholders who see its merit and call for its introduction.Is the Minister of State aware of it? I accept that he does not have direct responsibility, but will he comment on its progression?

I welcome that, in the Dáil, the Minister accepted an amendment tabled my party regarding consultation with stakeholders on examining ways in which social welfare rates could be increased with the aim of ensuring adequacy for all recipients. That will be done in quarter 1 of 2019, which I hope will ensure a fairer methodology for increased rates next year.

Provision for the extension of the jobseeker’s payment to the self-employed is not included in the Bill. I am informed that there were reasons for this and that it will be included in separate legislation next year. Will the Minister of State provide a commitment with regard to when it is planned to draft said legislation?

I welcome the amendments that the Minister accepted from my party colleague, Deputy Brady, in the Dáil. These are important amendments that strengthen the Bill. As already stated, the first relates to benchmarking and the Minister’s engagement with stakeholders. That is vitally important and will strengthen their voice. It is also the reason adequacies of payment are vital.

The second amendment makes provision for a report to be produced on the financial hardship faced by carers who must be providing full-time care - the Minister of State is very au faitwith carers - in order to receive carer’s allowance. This restricts them from taking up other work to supplement their incomes. It makes provision also for examination of their access to pension entitlements, as well as the barriers to the labour market they face following a period of providing care. The report will be presented to the Joint Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection. We know, and the Minister has acknowledged it time and again, that carers are often overlooked, overworked and marginalised. However, the biggest problem they face is isolation. It is vital that we scrutinise the social welfare rates and ensure they are adequate for carers, given that they save the State an enormous amount of money.

The third Sinn Féin amendment insists that the Minister conduct a review and report on the financial effects of the consideration of maintenance payments as household income in the means test for various social welfare payments. In particular, child maintenance should be regarded as an income for the child and not as household income. I hope the Minister will take seriously any findings of this review and adapt payments accordingly.