Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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I wanted to ask a couple of broader questions as well. As regards the issue of a second-tier means test for child benefit, I know Deputy Ó Cuív has particular views on means testing, but the ESRI has strong views on this and how effective it would be in tackling child poverty. It is probably not something a Minister can do in the last budget of a Government, but I want to know whether the Department is looking at this seriously in terms of costing it. The double payment on the child benefit is fine - it will be welcomed by many people - but we have not seen an increase in the base rate of child benefit for a long time. I wonder whether that was in the mix. Similarly, the baby boost is extremely welcome. It is only a pity I missed out on it with my own fellas. It is such an expensive time. That is really welcome. Again, however, I wonder whether we are looking at that basic rate increase for it.

Then there is a very thorny issue around fuel allowance as we roll out the warmer homes scheme, the retrofit scheme. There is an awful big difference between how far fuel allowance goes if people are in an A- or a B-rated home and how far it will go if they are in an F-rated or a G-rated home.

I do not have an answer for this, but it is about how we arrive at a position of equity in ensuring people are adequately provided for, how we are going to make the fuel allowance more flexible in that regard or whether we are gong to deal with it at all. That is probably a much longer-term project. Has the Minister any thoughts on any of those broader questions?