Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will identify all assessments, reviews or reports being carried out by her under the terms of the EU-IMF programme of financial support; if these assessments, reviews or reports are being carried out internally by her or independently; when she expects each assessment, review and report to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10662/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Programme of Financial Support for Ireland will be monitored through quantitative performance criteria and structural benchmarks. There are quarterly reviews of the arrangement with the EU/ECB & IMF. The reviews will assess progress in implementing the programme and reach understandings on any additional measures that may be needed to achieve its objectives.

My Department provides financial data on expenditure and Social Insurance Fund income to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on a monthly basis. This is incorporated in the overall monthly report on adherence to budget targets as provided for in the Memorandum of Understanding.

In addition, as provided for in the most recent Memorandum of Understanding with the EU/ECB/IMF, my Department will build on its recent studies on working age payments, child income support and disability allowance with a view to producing a comprehensive programme of reforms that can help better targeting social support to those on lower incomes, and ensure that work pays for welfare recipients. Consultation with stakeholders will take place. A progress report will be made by end-December 2011 and a programme of reforms will be submitted to Government at the end of the first quarter of 2012.

Finally, officials from my Department have met representatives of the EU, ECB and IMF on a number of occasions and briefed them on developments in the social protection area generally.