Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will conduct research into the impact of the Budget 2011 cuts on individuals, families and local retail; if he will outline the nature of the research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4642/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I have no plans, at present, to initiate further research on the impact of the social welfare changes announced in Budget 2011. However, the leading independent economic and social research body in Ireland, the ESRI, has examined, in detail, the impact of tax and welfare changes in recent budgets.

The Institute highlighted the necessity to get the facts right, so that debate can be based on solid evidence. Their analysis showed broadly similar percentage losses in incomes – between 2 and 3 per cent - across both low and high income groups as a consequence of the Budget 2011. When the changes introduced over the period 2009 to 2011 are examined, the ESRI concludes that these have been strongly progressive with reductions in top incomes of close to 10 per cent, middle incomes by about 5 per cent and the poorest groups by 2 to 3 per cent.