Welfare supports must be developed to meet the needs of each recipient if the underlying causes of social marginlisation are to be addressed, the Minister for Social Affairs Seamus Brennan said today.
Addressing the National Anti-Poverty Strategy's Social Inclusion Forum in Dublin, Mr Brennan said welfare supports ease poverty and social exclusion but are not a solution. "It is vitally important that we do not view welfare as permanent. That is why a one size fits all system will not provide the answers.
"Welfare support systems must be tailored to the specific needs of individuals and should be seen as stepping stones to achieving a better quality of life," Mr Brennan said.
Reforms are being developed to help people escape the "welfare trap" and progress to self-sufficiency and will be rolled out in the coming months, he continued.
The Combat Poverty Agency says the December budget has redistributed more towards people on low incomes than any other since the Fianna Fáil-PD Government came to power 1997.
The Minister said steady progress to reduce poverty and promote social inclusionwas being made. He cited figures showing those at risk of consistent poverty is falling and noted that between 2000 and 2006 direct spending on welfare more than doubled.
But he acknowledged that shortcomings remain and should be addressed in the development of the next National Anti-Poverty Action Plan.