Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

The Government is trying to sell the Estimates package and the Opposition is trying to determine whether it will bring about substantial change for the people. The Government has been in a position to eradicate poverty on foot of the unprecedented generation of wealth over the past decade but it has failed miserably in this regard. While Ireland is one of the richest states in the world per capita, OECD figures indicate our poverty levels are shameful.

Families on low incomes are finding circumstances more difficult and these are the people on whom the Government, through the Estimates, needs to focus. It is true that the gap between rich and poor has widened to an unprecedented level since the Government came to power.

A recent report on homelessness in my area indicates there has been a 3% increase in the number of people entering the Tallaght unit for the homeless. Some 5,500 people are homeless in the State, representing an increase of 375% since 1989. This demonstrates how many have been left behind in spite of our unprecedented wealth and economic growth. What is the economy for if not to bring about positive change?

Reference was made to investing in disadvantaged areas where people have missed out on education. The Book of Estimates alludes to breakfast clubs. Government statistics concern the RAPID and CLÁR areas, which experience the most disadvantage, but there is only one breakfast club in many of these areas and the groups running them are not funded by the State. Rather, they are funded by organisations such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The lack of State funding is crazy. In some areas, such as Blanchardstown, the breakfast clubs operate perhaps two days per week, implying that children go to school hungry on the other three. That children go to school hungry in this Ireland of plenty needs to be borne in mind. My area has experienced population growth and schools are therefore using their PE halls and libraries as classrooms. Is this acceptable in this wealthy Ireland? We have enough economic growth to address this.

Mention was made of the high employment rate but having a job does not guarantee freedom from poverty. The Estimates will be judged on how they transform people's lives.

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