Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I look forward to getting support and advice from the committee as we move into the intense negotiations for the budget. We have a social welfare model in Ireland which is supportive and highly redistributive. It reduces the poverty risk by 60%. It is a tribute to successive Governments and different parties of all shades to give that significance and importance to a welfare state in Ireland.

Talking to various groups in Dublin Castle last week for pre-budget submissions, I noted the critical issue for them is the overall impact of the budget. For example, pensioners were also affected by property tax and health measures in the last budget. All the groups said they wanted the overall impact of budget changes to be taken into account by the Government. It is a fair point.

I thank the committee for its invitation to present to it today.