Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has assessed the impact of reductions in public expenditure following Budget 2012 and Budget 2013 announcements on the unemployed, children, single parent household, low and middle income workers. [3069/13]

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if equality is integrated as a principle into the planning, design, implementation and review of the Governments expenditure related decisions. [3070/13]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 58 together.

With regard to budgetary matters, when focusing on the primary objectives of reducing the deficit and returning sustainability to the public finances, it has been of vital importance to the Government to spread the burden of the adjustments in as fair and equitable a manner as possible, while also seeking to minimise their negative impact on economic growth. The Government must ensure that the available resources are spent in the best possible way and that critical services continue to be delivered.

The Programme for Government contains a clear commitment that all public bodies would take due note of equality and human rights in carrying out their functions. 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.