Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 343: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she is committed in the next budget to reversing the cuts in payments to the blind, the disabled, home carers and widows and if she will reassure these persons that there will be no further cuts to their entitlements. [15460/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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This Government is committed to tackling Ireland's economic crisis in a way that is fair, balanced, and which recognises the need for social solidarity. The appropriate level of overall expenditure by my Department will be considered in the context of Budget 2012 and subsequent Budgets. This consideration will be informed by the commitment in the Programme for Government to maintain social welfare rates.

Sustainable public finances are a prerequisite for future economic stability and growth, as well as being a prerequisite for maintaining and developing our social protection system. To this end, the State must pursue a determined deficit reduction strategy. This Government believes it is appropriate, in order to enhance international credibility, to stick to the aggregate adjustment as set out in the National Recovery Plan for the combined period 2011- 2012. Accordingly, there will be an ongoing requirement to curtail expenditure in 2012 and in later years. This is necessary for many reasons, not least so that we can continue to make social welfare payments at appropriate levels, sustaining social cohesion and treating people with dignity.

The priority of this Government is to get our economy moving, restore confidence, fix our banking system and support the protection and creation of jobs. The success of our economic plans will lay the foundation for the rest of our agenda for change. The recently announced Jobs Initiative is the first step in our recovery strategy and includes a number of initiatives which will be administered by my Department including the introduction of a new National Internship Scheme. In addition, the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill, 2010, currently before the Dáil, provides for the halving of the lower rate of employer PRSI thereby making it cheaper for employers both to take on and retain workers and thereby reduce unemployment.

There are considerable challenges ahead including the need to protect, as far as possible, the key income supports and services operated by my Department, including the levels of support provided to the various groups mentioned by the Deputy. This process will be informed by the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure which will be completed over the summer. The findings of the Review will then be available to the Government and will feed into its discussions on possible changes to schemes and services generally.