Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her positive engagement with the committee and for the comprehensive briefing she has given us. I welcome the fact that the Christmas bonus was restored to 100% last year and again this year. I agree with her comments on changing the language around that particular payment and the need to have certainty for those people who really depend on it coming up to the Christmas period. It gives a massive boost to the local economy, shops and service providers. I welcome the positive trends in the live register figures which continue to fall and are below 5%, the lowest since early 2008. Please God, those trends will continue.

The fact that the Department's expenditure on schemes and services is expected to be 2% ahead of profile is an endorsement of the Minister and her officials. They have command over their Department and it is good that she can come in here today and present these documents to us here in a very upfront and positive way.