Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Record social welfare packages were introduced in the past three budgets, in view of the revenue available and the growth rates achieved. Growth rates are changing and inflation must be monitored. We intend to assist those on social welfare and, in my time as Minister for Finance, which added to the successful efforts of my predecessor, we have met national anti-poverty targets by increasing the basic rates up to those targets. Significant funds were required to achieve this and we provided them. I do not wish to comment on the budget. However, continuing to try to maintain the living standards of those on social welfare payments is obviously a matter that we will continue to prioritise.

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