Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to introduce a single social assistance payment for all persons of working age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10435/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Social assistance provision to people of working age was the subject of a review that was carried out by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and published in November 2010. The review considered the desirability and feasibility of introducing a single social assistance payment for all people of working age. The report examined the current system of social assistance payments against the background of the broader policy rationale for a single payment, which is based on the policy that people are given or directed to the supports or services that they need in order to return to or take up work or other training or educational opportunities, matched by a requirement that they avail of that support. In other words, the people seeking to avail of income support have both rights and matching responsibilities. This approach builds on the NESC report: The Developmental Welfare State (2005) and on EU and OECD research.

The principle of a single working age payment is also based on the rationale that the outcomes for people from a poverty and social inclusion point of view must be improved, and also that any changes to the current system must 'make work pay'. Such an approach would ensure that people are not further distanced from the labour market, especially in the current economic climate, and encourages people to maximise their potential.

However, I am aware that moving to a single social assistance payment is a complex task and would represent a fundamental overhaul of the assistance system.

The recently agreed Programme of Financial Support with the EU and IMF makes references to this report and that the DSP will build on it, together with other studies relating to the structural reform of the social welfare system, with a view to producing a comprehensive programme of reforms that can help better targeting social support to those on lower income, and ensure that work pays for welfare recipients, after consultation with stakeholders. To this end I propose to initiate consultations on the framework for a single social assistance payment and arrangements to hold a seminar for this purpose are currently being considered.

Creating jobs and tackling poverty are two of the key challenges that we face. It is essential that our tax and social protection systems play their part in addressing these problems. As outlined in our Programme for Government, a commission on taxation and social welfare will be established to consider a number of issues arising out of the operation of the tax and social welfare systems, including the elimination of disincentives to employment. The Government is currently considering the scope of the commission's work and the practical arrangements around its operation. An announcement on these will be made as soon as possible.