Written answers
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Department of Social and Family Affairs
Departmental Expenditure
10:00 am
Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the recommendations of the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, applicable to his Department, that he accepts and those that he rejects. [28008/10]
John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 446: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the elements of the report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes that have been implemented to date by his Department; his plans to implement any aspects of the plan in the future; if the overall plan has been assessed by his Department; and if so, his views on the benefits of the plans. [28119/10]
Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 446 together. The Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes made a range of recommendations in relation to my Department. These recommendations are outlined in the table below along with the current status of each recommendation. This forthcoming Budget process will have regard, amongst other issues, to the outstanding recommendations of the Special Group. It is important to stress that at this stage no decisions have been taken either by me or by the Government in regard to changes in social protection schemes and services in 2011, including the outstanding recommendations of the Special Group.
| Special Group Proposals | Status | |
| 1 | Child Benefit | |
| â¬30 per month reduction in the Lower Rate and a â¬67 per month reduction in the Higher Rate, bringing both rates to â¬136 per month. | Partially implemented in Budget 2010 through reductions of â¬16 per month in both rates. There was also full compensation for welfare families. | |
| 2 | Weekly Rates of Payment | |
| 5% reduction in all personal and Qualified Adult rates of payment. | Partially implemented in Budget 2010 through reductions of circa 4.1% in personal and qualified adult rates payable to persons aged under 66. | |
| 3 | Weekly Rates of Payment - Young Jobseeker's & Basic SWA | |
| Reduce the rates of Jobseeker's Allowance & SWA for persons aged 20 - 24 years by â¬54.30 pw, to â¬150 pw. | Fully implemented including a â¬100 per week rate for those aged under 23. | |
| 4 | Carers | |
| Abolish entitlement to payment of a Half Rate Carer's Allowance in addition to another primary social welfare payment. | Not implemented | |
| 5 | Concurrent Payments | |
| A | Discontinue concurrent payment of half rate Illness Benefit/Jobseeker's Benefit to recipients of One Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife's Benefit and Widow(er)'s Pension. | Not implemented |
| B | Discontinue concurrent payment of a primary social welfare payment and a Community Employment payment. | Not implemented |
| C | Discontinue concurrent entitlement to FIS and a primary welfare payment. | Not implemented |
| 6 | Treatment Benefits | |
| Abolish the Treatment Benefit Scheme | Partially implemented. | |
| 7 | Other Special Group Proposals | |
| A | Rent Supplement - Review the level of rent caps on a regional basis. | Implemented |
| B | Discontinue the special treatment of income as a home help for means testing purposes. across all schemes including FIS | Not implemented |
| C | Abolish the Family Support Agency | Not implemented |
| D | Reduce eligibility for Exceptional Needs Payments | Not implemented |
| 8 | Household Benefits | |
| Tax the Household Benefits Package. | Not implemented |
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