Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. It is an important debate because of its connection with welfare and poverty issues. It is also an opportunity for the House to reflect carefully on the direction our country and society is taking. When the word "welfare" is used nowadays, it is often as a derogatory term or as if it is a dirty word. It is important to record that Deputies should always ensure that legislation looks after the weak in society. I say to those in economic and social circles who seem to have a problem dealing with the reality, that people in this society need our assistance and support and they should have it as a matter of right. We should not make any apologies for this.

I am delighted the Minister is present to listen carefully to the views of Members on the opposite side of the House. In particular, the Minister should target social welfare increases at tackling child poverty. Some 148,000 children need our help immediately and the Government should target resources at these needy people. The Minister should also target resources towards the elderly, who have served the wider community for many years, and on providing the back-up and support for people with disabilities, whether intellectual, physical or otherwise. It is important when discussing the Bill that we focus on these three main areas. With regard to child poverty, when Barnardos, the children's charity, begins its campaign in the next few weeks, it will be important that we listen to its views and conclusions and support it in the build-up to the budget.

Many people in Irish society think that because we live in a very wealthy country, everybody is suddenly very well-off. That is not the reality. I remind the Minister that 52% of children in some disadvantaged estates on the north side of Dublin are not ready for primary school. The Minister, with the Minister for Education and Science, should declare war on educational disadvantage, beginning at the pre-school level. There is a major crisis in some areas of Dublin city and other areas of the country in that children are not ready for school. Children must live in homes where heating and dampness are still major issues while some 26% of children display significant problems of conduct before they start school — I refer to children from poor or dysfunctional families. Moreover, some 20% of children from some estates on the north side of Dublin have major eating difficulties and dietary problems while 31% are constantly missing school.

This is where resources must be focused. I realise that others will demand that budget resources go in other directions but it is now time to act. The debate about the economy is over; the debate is now about how we distribute the fruits of the economy. Given that unemployment is low — a great achievement for any state — it is important we use the extra resources to assist and support these people.

To move to the detail of the Bill, Part 9 contains the general provisions governing social welfare payments and insurability, including provisions relating to claims and payments, the appointment and duties of social welfare inspectors and provisions relating to offences, penalties and legal proceedings under the code, and the alienation of books and documents. Part 10 contains provisions governing decisions and appeals in respect of social welfare and the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. This Part also contains provisions governing the social welfare tribunal. These are important sections. When the Minister looks at the statistics and listens to the different lobby groups, I urge him to ensure he listens to the people who speak on behalf of the unemployed, poor, elderly and disabled.

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