Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

No. We are doing them a great service by not having huge pressures building up, as has happened in more advanced European economies. Despite the increases, I recognise that it is not easy for anyone to live on social welfare alone. Nonetheless, employment opportunities are now far better than in the past. Wherever possible, people should supplement their income, particularly through pension provisions. The social welfare system places particular emphasis on those who do not have any other possibility of sustaining their living standards. I congratulate the Minister on her first Social Welfare Bill which I hope is the first of many.