Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

While Ireland is now a prosperous country, we cannot afford to take prosperity for granted. It is on this principle that the choices in the budget were based. We must strive for economic success and insist on prudent fiscal management to achieve the establishment of a better society for all. We must prioritise infrastructural investment so that firms can compete and we must ensure that even more people can become involved in our economy and benefit from its success.

The Government is committed to helping those on low incomes and supporting family life. This budget will help to create a more inclusive society for all of us. To this end social welfare measures, costing €1.12 billion, will be implemented. These changes will improve the living standards of 970,000 social welfare recipients. It is important to state again the specific improvements announced. For the elderly, old age and related pensions will rise by €14 per week or 8%, bringing the old age contributory pension to €193.30.

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