Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We propose the establishment of a social welfare adequacy commission that would advise the Government on social protection payment rates. The commission would make recommendations on payment rates ahead of the annual budget with the aim of ensuring they are adequate, meet a minimum essential standard of living, MESL, and protect people from poverty. This would ensure that all recipients are protected from poverty. It is important to note that these rates can fluctuate upwards and downwards depending on inflation and the success of any Government in providing affordable housing, childcare or access to free healthcare when needed. Second, we propose that all currently means-tested payments are set at rates that meet the MESL to ensure that those who rely on these payments are protected from poverty, at the very least.

Sinn Féin has put forward the idea of establishing a social welfare adequacy commission for several years. We have introduced legislation on this on two occasions and included the proposal in our most recent general election manifesto and subsequent annual alternative budget publications. The commission would have three objectives: to reduce poverty; to ensure a decent standard of living for vulnerable households; and to take the political football out of setting social welfare rates. It would offer evidence-based advice to the Government in advance of making decisions as part of its annual budget. A social welfare adequacy commission would recommend payment rates with the aim of ensuring that everyone in receipt of a social welfare payment receives an amount that protects them from poverty and affords them a decent standard of living.

The objective would be to ensure that any future changes to rates are evidenced-based and targeted at protecting those who need it most. By ensuring continued monitoring of the adequacy of social welfare rates, the commission would help to advise any Government that, in turn, could make decisions to truly lift households out of poverty. This would see a major transformation of society overall. While the main role of a commission would be to report annually on the adequacy of social welfare rates and recommend any necessary changes, it should also have the power to recommend that any Department undertakes a poverty impact assessment of a specific measure before it is introduced. This proposal has been welcomed by organisations such as the EAPN 25.

Sinn Féin believes that the establishment of a social welfare adequacy commission would be hugely significant for those who rely on social welfare supports from the State. Its establishment would create a pathway away from the annual political football in the setting of social welfare rates. Further to this, a commission could support the work of the Government in its efforts to support the needs of specific groups and those who currently experience the highest levels of poverty, deprivation and marginalisation.