Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: 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 dependent allowance at 33%-35% of the minimum adult social welfare payment by 2007, as outlined in the national action plan against poverty and social inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10945/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The National Action Plan against Poverty and Social Exclusion 2003-2005 set a key target for the combined level of child benefit and child dependent allowances to be within the range 33% to 35% of the minimum adult social welfare payment rate. The plan also made reference to the target of €150 per week in 2002 terms for the lowest rates of social welfare payments by 2007. Progress in meeting these targets is reviewed regularly and particularly in the context of budget increases.

Following the implementation of the changes announced in budget 2006, the combined CB/child dependant allowance weekly equivalent payment will stand at €51.42 or over 31% of the current minimum adult social welfare payment rate. Therefore, the combined value stands under the target range set for it despite the significant increases in child benefit which will take place in April 2006 when the lower rate of child benefit will rise to €150 per child. The reason for this is, of course, that budget 2006 provided for very substantial increases in the lowest social welfare rates.

The most appropriate way to meet these targets will be kept under review, particularly in the context of the next budget and also in the context of the review of child income support which is currently under way.