Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the extraordinary importance of the work done by janitors and teachers. They truly are the definition of the public good and the work they do is essential to the public services provided in our hospitals and schools. I understand the clarification made by Deputy Pearse Doherty. Incidentally, I am never offended by what he says and I wish to put him at ease if that is a concern. He made reference to €3 million on many occasions and I felt it appropriate to remind him of the change I made last year when I introduced the cap of €1 million.

I can speak to the immensely important work done by janitors, teachers and nurses. We are doing this in order to be in a position where, for example, we can continue to ensure teachers are on a path to wage restoration. Janitors have already had wages restored compared with where we were in the crisis period. We must ensure we have the tax revenue to do this. Having considered this scheme in detail, I have reached the conclusion - I am accountable to the House for it - that in the absence of or significant reduction in the scheme, which the Deputy wishes to implement, as is his right, certain forms of jobs in our country would be put at risk. That could create an indirect risk that I am concerned would be big. It is my judgment after consultation with IDA Ireland and not the financial services companies referred to by Deputy Burton. I have heard all the Deputies in this House regularly give recognition and credit to IDA Ireland. I need to ensure because of the world we are in rather than the world I wish at times we were in that a scheme like this continues to be merited.

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