John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Estimates for 2006 which see a significant increase in Government spending of €3 billion, an increase of 6.6% on the spend for 2005.

Our public finances are sound and our debt to GDP ratio stands at 29%, down from over 60% back in 1997. The savings in interest payments led to the increased spending. We have radically reduced personal, business and capital taxes, while unemployment has fallen significantly. These are the key factors behind the economy that allow the Minister for Finance to increase the amount he spends. The increase of 6.6% is significantly ahead of the rate of inflation. There has been an increase of 9% for the Department of Health and Children, 8% for the Department of Health and Education, while next year the Department of Social and Family Affairs will receive €12.4 billion. In the period from 1999 to 2006 the social welfare budget has doubled.

In my area I welcome the upgrade works on the M50 that are due to start imminently, particularly the removal of what has been the greatest problem of all in my lifetime, the Red Cow roundabout. Some of the work already under way is due for completion next year, particularly the Naas Road widening scheme.

I have heard numerous people say a 9% increase in the Department of Health and Children will do nothing. That is not true; it is a huge increase, three times the rate of inflation and more than the rate of economic growth, meaning real spending growth. The OECD recently confirmed that Irish spending on health had gone from 15% below the OECD average in 1997 to over 17% above in 2003. This is a real increase. I do not take it lightly; I recognise there are delays and problems in particular areas but the number of procedures carried out year on year is increasing and that is where the extra expenditure is going. Other speakers have said the Estimates have added nothing extra but that is simply not true. There have been no cuts in services in any Department, while the 6.6% increase adds significantly to the range of services.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform mentioned that he had 14 key elements to the new nationwide policing programme. There seems to be a lack of belief that the additional 2,000 gardaí promised in the programme for Government will be delivered but it is happening as we speak. There are twice as many recruits in Templemore as there were two years ago. Gardaí cannot be created overnight but the Garda Síochána is well on target to reach the 2,000 extra members in 2007. The sooner that is realised the better.

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