Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she proposes to take to ensure adequacy of the social welfare budget to meet the demands arising from the downturn in the economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23236/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Estimates for the Department of Social and Family Affairs which were published on 23 April last were based, in the main, on an analysis of trends as regards likely numbers of recipients and average value of payments in 2009. The estimates for Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance were significantly increased from the Estimates published at the time of the October Budget. These estimates were increased in line with the Department of Finance's projections of an average Live Register of 440,000 for the year.

Developments on the Live Register are being closely monitored by both my Department and the Department of Finance. The expenditure for all scheme is also being closely monitored on an ongoing basis by my Department.