Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for their support for the developments in social welfare, even though some may have had difficulties in regard to funding and the changes they would like to the schemes. This year's social welfare package amounted to €530 million, two years previously it amounted to more than €1,000 million and in 1997 it was €263 million. This is more than a doubling of the amount of money made available for budgets, with the knowledge that the baseline has increased consistently over the past five years.

It is important to give the Members a few facts. An increase of €1 under any of my Department's schemes costs over €50 million. This indicates the amount of money needed to continue with existing schemes and to provide increases. I was provided with €530 million in my budget. Prior to the budget, through the pre-budget forum, I met many organisations and NGOs who represented people in poverty and so on, who sought €3,500 million. The gap between the funds I had available and what people wanted in that context was huge. It was a similar scenario in the case of elected representatives who wanted additional money. Therefore, I had to make choices.

Many Members referred to child benefit. Members of the House will agree that child benefit has had a very positive and direct impact in addressing child poverty and many issues in the context of child care. There has never been agreement on any side of the House on what is the best thing to do in this area. I appreciate that people were disappointed but I could not come before this House and say I would try to do something I could not achieve. Following the publication of the Estimates, I said I would not be in a position to achieve what I wanted, even though commitments were made. On that basis, it would take another €414 million to provide the third tranche of the child benefit allowance this year, which would mean there would be very little money left over.