David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I am confused. Is the Minister stating on the one hand that there is a problem and on the other hand that there is not a problem? He either agrees with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul that there is an issue out there that needs to be addressed or he is saying that the society's view is wrong? Will the Minister, in plain English, tell me which it is? Does he agree with the society and, if so, what will he do about it? Does he agree, for instance, that perhaps this process of increases only once a year does not take into account what can happens in between? Has he any evidence of hardship through sources other than the Society of St. Vincent de Paul?

I will repeat the question again to keep it simple for the Minister. Does he agree with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul that there is a problem and, if so, will he say so and say what he will do about it?

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