Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I am glad Deputy Durkan agrees with me that not only does Fianna Fáil care about the present but also the future. The Minister has shown particular interest in the area of pensions.

Much has been said about child benefit and people have differing views about what level it should be at. The child benefit scheme has served the country well over the years. I remember, when as a child living in Stephen Street, I used to go to the local post office in Aungier Street with my mother when she collected her child benefit. In those days, she saw it in a positive way. Under successive Fianna Fáil Governments it has increased greatly over the years. There will always be an issue at what level it should be at and whether everyone should benefit from it. The Minister has talked about looking at the question of child benefit for those families who are particularly disadvantaged. It is important to remember the ethos of social inclusion. The Taoiseach made the point that at a time when all boats are rising, we must not forget the little boats. There is an issue of varying levels of child benefit for those families in particular disadvantage. It is about creating an environment where disadvantaged people can be assisted in bettering themselves. We should not be keeping people in poverty traps but helping them out of them. The Department of Social and Family Affairs has a large remit and responsibility in this regard but has great potential to tackle the poverty issue.

I am always happy to promote and support the social welfare office in Tallaght. It is modern and one of the best in the country, as it should be in a major population centre. Over the years, there have been social welfare difficulties in Tallaght. Now it is a thriving economy and people are working. Next Sunday marks the 15th year of the opening of the Square which started all this.

I compliment and wish the Minister well on the work he is doing. I give my support to the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Bill.

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