Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the main features of his discussions and conclusions with voluntary and community groups at his pre-Budget forum on 23 October 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37594/06]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his response to the pre-budget submission made by the Combat Poverty Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37591/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 118 together.

On October 23 last, I held a Pre-Budget Forum which was attended by 30 representative organisations which included various community and voluntary groups. Each of the organisations had the opportunity to present their key priorities for consideration in advance of Budget 2007. I would like to thank all those who participated for their contribution to the forum.

I have also received written budget submissions from each of the organisations who attended the Pre-Budget Forum and from a number of other community and voluntary organisations around the country.

The Combat Poverty Agency has also made a Pre-Budget submission to me and I have recently had the opportunity to discuss it with the Board and to hear its proposals first hand. The submissions contain varied proposals on increases in social welfare rates of payment, pensions and allowances as well as enhancements and changes to various schemes. All the submissions have been examined in my Department and will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget.