Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the new resources which will be committed to secure equality for persons with disabilities in relation to the findings of the recent report by the Economic and Social Research Institute that persons with disabilities are twice as likely to be poor than the rest of the population, have lower educational qualifications and live a less active social life. [21330/05]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the ERSI report, Disability and Social Inclusion in Ireland; his views on the findings of the report that between 1994 and 2001 the proportion of disabled adults at risk of poverty rose sharply from 21% to 38%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21634/05]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the fact that according to an ERSI study, Disability and Social Inclusion in Ireland, persons with disabilities are twice as likely to be at risk of poverty than the general population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21635/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 181, 188 and 189 together.

It is clear from the ESRI Report, Disability and Social Inclusion in Ireland, that the barriers faced by people with disabilities and, indeed, other groups who are vulnerable to poverty and social exclusion, are multi-faceted and require a multi-agency response.

The National Action Plan against Poverty and Social Exclusion 2003-2005, sets out the framework for the Government's response to these problems. The current plan sets out the range of policies and programmes, such as income and employment supports, health and education, which are being undertaken by relevant Departments aimed at reducing or eliminating poverty and social exclusion.

The national action plan specifically targets people with disabilities as one of a number of groups who are particularly vulnerable to poverty and social exclusion. The overall aim for people with disabilities is to increase their participation in work and society generally, and to assist them and their families to lead full and independent lives. The plan details specific targets and actions which include: rehabilitative training provision and skills development; increased participation in third level education; specific employment supports for people with disabilities and employers; access to health care; and care of people with disabilities.

The office for social inclusion, OSI, which is based in my Department, has overall responsibility for developing, co-ordinating and driving the national action plan. The OSI is currently completing a comprehensive review of progress against the targets contained in the current plan and a progress report will be submitted to the EU by the end of this month.

Over the past number of years there have been significant real improvements in social welfare payments which increased at about the same percentage rate as gross average industrial earnings.

However, households where a person moved from inactivity to employment would have seen a more significant rise in income.

Many households indeed moved from having one to two incomes. As a result, while many persons with disabilities who are not in employment saw their living standards improve, their position relative to other people fell back.

There has been a substantial increase in Government spending on disability specific services. This year, some €2.9 billion, representing almost 7.5% of gross current public expenditure on services, will be spent in this way. This compares with expenditure of just under €0.8 billion in 1997, a 3.5-fold increase in eight years. The figure of €2.9 billion does not include the €2.1 billion which will be spent by my Department in 2005 on income supports for people with disability, illness and their carers.

The Government has guaranteed a multi-annual investment programme totalling over €900 million, comprising both capital and current funding for high priority disability support services, over the years 2006 to 2009. The funding is focused mainly in the health and education sectors and will enhance service levels where they are most needed.

The Government remains committed to continuing efforts to alleviate poverty, especially for those who have not been in a position to benefit from the employment opportunities afforded by high economic growth.

During the period 2001 to 2005, there were substantial real increases in social welfare rates, with the lowest rates increasing by 40% while the consumer price index increased by just over13%. As a result of the 2005 budget, social welfare payments have increased by three times the expected rate of inflation. Government policy is to increase the level of social welfare over the period to 2007 and this commitment will be delivered. This will benefit all social welfare recipients, including those in receipt of disability payments.