Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 104: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department is on target to achieve its NAP-inclusion target of setting child benefit and child dependant allowance at between 33% and 35% of the minimum adult social welfare payment by 2007, as outlined in the national action plan against poverty and social exclusion (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11914/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy is referring to the target in the national action plan against poverty and social exclusion to increase the lowest social welfare rates to €150 per week — in 2002 terms — by 2007 and to set the appropriate equivalence level of child income support — child benefit and child dependant allowances combined — at 33% to 35% of the adult rates.

We remain on target to achieve this objective. In budget 2005, the lowest rates of social welfare were increased by €14 per week to €148.80 while the rates of child benefit were increased by €10 per month for the first two children and by €12 per month for the third and subsequent children. The new child benefit rates, which came into effect this month, are €141.60 and €177.30 per month, respectively.

The equivalent level of child income support — combining child benefit and child dependant allowances — now stand at 33.3% of the lowest social welfare rate for those receiving the lower rate of child benefit and 38.8% for those on the higher rate.