Social welfare Bill and policy
Broughan asks when the social welfare Bill will appear and urges reversal of cuts. The Tánaiste points to the forthcoming budget documentation, employment gains, protected core rates and reduced income inequality.
Even going back almost 15 years, I do not think there has been one. I believe it always has been part of the Department of the Taoiseach.
On the social welfare Bill, there will be a book in respect of the budget setting out all the details and, like all Deputies in the House, the Deputy will be able to see that. On social welfare, as the Deputy is aware, the Government has got many people back to work, the consequence of which has been significant savings on social welfare.
Comment on this
However, there have been a lot of cuts.
Comment on this
Moreover, as the Deputy is aware, a consequence of this is the Government has been able to protect core rates and do what no other country affected by the kind of difficulties this country has experienced could do. As Professor John FitzGerald of the ESRI has noted, income inequality has actually decreased in Ireland, notwithstanding the dreadful recession.
Comment on this
The Tánaiste should not believe the ESRI.