Margaret Cox (Fianna Fail)

There was a reduction of 6% – from 15.1% – in the consistent poverty level between 1994 and 2000. That is the figure of which we should take account. However, we should also consider the changes in unemployment levels. It is not so much that unemployment fell, but that employment soared. I do not know whether many people in the House understand how difficult it can be at times, in various regions – although there are unemployment black spots – to recruit people for jobs. That is amazing in a country the unemployment level of which, when I started working, was more than 10%. Unemployment has now dropped to around 3% or 4%. We are justified in feeling proud of this. People are beginning to fend for themselves.

The Minister has provided for an additional €833 million in social welfare spending next year, bringing the projected level of spending to more than €10 billion for the first time ever. This is a positive development. We have not spent enough – there will never be enough to spend – but we are discussing a budget of more than €10 billion for next year. Social welfare expenditure in 2003 will be €4.5 billion more than in 1997. As the Minister stated, this represents an increase of nearly 80% in social welfare spending.

We must also bear in mind that, in the past, people thought social welfare was about paying the dole to people who were unemployed. It is much more than that now. That increase of nearly 80% will benefit many more people. Our pensioners, mothers and children are glad. They were not fooled. Does Senator Cummins think that women are so stupid that they would sell their votes for a few pounds—