Michael Conaghan (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

With this budget we are leaving behind us the road to ruin that we have been on for a number of years. The exit signs are everywhere. These signposts include one on exiting the bailout regime and returning to economic sovereignty.

On the cusp of the centenary of 1916, would it not be shameful if our economy was still beholden to any external body? Thanks to the Irish people and to the Government no such spectre awaits us.

Let me briefly refer to just a few of the many positives in the budget. In education, for example, the pupil-teacher ratio has been protected, the employment of additional resource teachers has been sanctioned and a book rental scheme is being introduced, which will represent significant savings for parents.

On employment and jobs in the construction sector, provision has been made for the funding for building houses and renovating homes. That will give a significant boost to the construction sector. The initiatives based on the announcement that €188 million has been secured for the new DIT campus at Grangegorman, as well as the fact that €200 million has been secured for the national children’s hospital at St. James’s Hospital will have a transformative impact on the construction sector in the city of Dublin.

In health care the announcement of free GP care for children aged five years and under is the foundation stone for a universal health care system, which has always been a key Labour Party policy.

With regard to social protection, the full protection of child benefit is a very great relief to parents. With regard to tackling unemployment among young people, an investment of up to €46 million is to be made in education, training and job opportunities. This will empower and enable young people to live constructive and productive lives in their own country. We are leaving the road to ruin but some Members, in Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, are not one bit pleased.

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