Overhaul of social welfare system to include single payment

A SINGLE means tested social assistance payment for working age unemployed along with an overhaul of child income support and disability allowances are on the cards after three Government reports were published yesterday.

The three lengthy reports come as figures show almost 1,000 tip-offs a month regarding suspected welfare fraud are being made to the department.

While there is no timeframe for introduction of the proposals, they indicate a government desire to alter the way people are assessed for benefits, in line with expected lower rates in future years.