Towards 2016 - Department of Taoiseach

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IncomeSocial Welfare RatesBudget 2008 provided for an increase of €12.00 per week in the personal rate payable to recipients ofthe various social welfare schemes for persons of working age, bringing the level of the lowest rate ofsocial welfare payment to €197.80 per week, in line with the commitment in the Agreed Programmefor Government and the NAPinclusion. The Qualified Adult Payment for most working age schemesincreased by €8 per week.Lone ParentsFrom May 2008, Social Insurance contributions, Health contributions, Superannuation contributionsand Trade Union subscriptions will be disregarded for the purpose of assessment of earnings for One-Parent Family Payment.Cost of Education AllowanceThe Cost of Education Allowance payable to recipients of the Back to Education Allowance schemewill increase by €100 to €500 from September 2008.Maternity and Adoptive BenefitThe minimum rate of Maternity and Adoptive Benefit was increased from €207.80 to €221.80 inBudget 2008.Improving Health Outcomes for People of Working AgeBed CapacityA review of acute bed requirements undertaken by the HSE, with the support of externalconsultants has been completed.A Vision for ChangeThe establishment of the Office of the Minister for Disability and Mental Health was announced by theTaoiseach on 30 January, 2008. This Office will focus in particular on driving the implementation of“a Vision for Change”.Support for those who cannot meet the cost of GP ServicesAs of 1 January, 2008, 1,276,178 people held a medical card and 75,589 people held a GP visit card.Developing Palliative Care throughout IrelandBudget 2008 provided a further €3m for enhancing multi-disciplinary palliative care service provisionthroughout Ireland with particular emphasis by the HSE on areas where services need mostimprovement (South East, Midlands, North East and West).Caring ResponsibilitiesBudget 2008 increased the earnings disregard in the Carer’s Allowance means test to €665 per weekfor a couple. This measure surpasses the commitment in Towards 2016.Budget 2008 also provides for the level of the Respite Care Grant to be increased from €1,200 to€1,500 per year in respect of each care recipient.Carer’s Allowance in Budget 2008 was increased to €214 per week for those aged under 66 and to€232 per week for those aged over 66.With regard to Carer’s Benefit, Budget 2008 increased the rate of payment by €14 to €214 per week.In addition, the earnings threshold was increased by €12.50 to €332.50 per week.11
From April 2008 any amount of Carer’s Benefit, in excess of the basic Supplementary WelfareAllowance rate will be disregarded for the purposes of Rent and Mortgage Interest Supplement in linewith existing arrangements for Carer’s Allowance.The second consultation meeting of Carer Representative Groups and relevant Departments andAgencies was held on 23 January, 2008.In December 2007, the Government agreed to the establishment of a working group to develop aNational Carers Strategy to cover the period 2008 to 2016. The aim is to complete the Strategy by mid2008.Housing and Sustainable CommunitiesDuring 2007, the Affordable Homes Partnership completed the purchase of some 500 homes in theopen market for eligible purchasers at discounted affordable prices to help meet the Towards 2016target. A further €50m has been made available this year to boost activity.Work is at an advanced stage on the revised Homeless Strategy under the aegis of the CrossDepartment Team on Homelessness. The goal of this Strategy will be the elimination of the long-termoccupancy of emergency homeless accommodation by end 2010. It is expected that the revisedstrategy will be published early in 2008.Education, Training and EmployabilityThe Dormant Accounts Committee has approved funding of €3m for access-based initiatives in theInstitutes of Technology to enhance the support mechanism for disadvantaged students.In January 2008, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) launched a website www.studentfinance.ie,which is a comprehensive, user-friendly guide to student grants and supports.Housing and Accommodation – Young AdultsThe overall target of accommodating 10,000 former rent supplements recipients by end 2007 wassurpassed.Motor InsuranceThe Government commissioned PA Consulting Group in September 2007 to carry out an independentreview of the effectiveness of policy measures introduced on foot of the MIAB report designed toreduce motor insurance costs. A report is expected in the first quarter of 2008.Integration of Migrant CommunitiesThe new Office of the Minister for Integration continues to be developed and additional staff wereappointed in January 2008. Plans are being finalised to create three new structures in 2008: theestablishment of a Task Force on Integration in May 2008; a new Ministerial Council to representImmigrants by June 2008, and a Commission for Integration.Reform of the Health SystemThe Department of Health and Children is developing proposals for a Health Information Bill whichwill provide the legal basis for a unique health identifier and a strong system-wide informationgovernance structure for the Irish health service. It is planned to have a major public consultativeexercise beginning in March 2008.12
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