John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the revelation of the St. Vincent de Paul organisation that it will in 2006 spend a record €34 million on helping people afford basic necessities such as food, clothing, electricity and heat. [31786/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate the work undertaken by the Society of Saint Vincent De Paul and others on behalf of the most vulnerable members of Irish society and it is, of course, a matter of concern that the level of demand for the Society's services appears to be increasing.

This Government remains committed to greatly improving the standard of living of welfare dependent and low-income households and to making a decisive impact on poverty and social exclusion. This commitment has been expressed in greatly increased levels of income support provided through the social welfare system during the life of this Government. Since 1997 the lowest rates of welfare payments have been increased by almost 100%, well ahead of the 49% accumulated inflation over that period. We remain on course to achieve the income maintenance targets set out in the National Action Plan against Poverty and Social Exclusion next year.

In the last Budget, the personal and qualified adult rates of payment were increased by unprecedented amounts. The lowest rates of social welfare payments were increased by €17 per week to €165.80, or by 11.4%. This increase is well ahead of projected inflation for 2006 and, therefore, improves and enhances the living standards of all recipients.

I also introduced a number of important measures designed to address poverty and to reward work and enterprise in Budget 2006. These included a Child and Family Poverty package of nearly €155 million which involved major improvements for low-income families and for single parent families.

In addition, I announced a wide-ranging employment support package of €28 million. This contained a range of measures which will alleviate poverty and support activation by improving income disregards and tapers for people with disabilities, the unemployed and qualified adults. These arrangements maximise the benefits of work for low-income households.

I will be considering further improvements in income support and allied measures designed to assist low income households in the context of the forthcoming Budget.