Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Finance if he will introduce equality proofing into the budgetary process here and in particular if he will address the core arguments made in the TASC research publication of May 2012 Untold Story of the Crisis, which specifically calls for equality proofing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50233/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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With regard to budgetary matters, when focusing on the primary objectives of reducing the deficit and returning sustainability to the public finances, while they are currently no plans to specifically equality and gender proof Budget 2013 it has been of vital importance to the Government to spread the burden of the adjustments made in as fair and equitable a manner as possible, while also seeking to minimise their negative impact on economic growth. The Deputy might be aware that the Programme for Government does contain a clear commitment requiring all public bodies to take due note of equality and human rights in carrying out their functions. I would also remind the Deputy that the State and its bodies must, of course, comply with all provisions of equality legislation in the development and delivery of policies and services.

Furthermore, cabinet procedures require that proposals put to Government indicate clearly whether there is any impact of the proposal on, amongst other things, gender equality, persons experiencing or at risk of poverty or social exclusion and people with disabilities. The Deputy might also be aware that a distributional analysis of proposed budget measures is performed each year based on income levels.