Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

It is also refreshing to see the voluntary and community housing groups receiving €26 million. I support that as a major step in the right direction.

I accept that we have a long way to go in ensuring the maximum protection of the vulnerable, but this budget is a major start and I will do my best to push for developments in the interests of the people of Dublin North Central. It is an important budget because the objective is to protect the vulnerable. We now have the opportunity to deliver the services, but we also have a responsibility to ensure that when €50 million is allocated to people with disabilities, those services are rolled out and given to the families that need them. When €29 million is given to cancer services, we have a responsibility to ensure that these services are put in to support people with cancer. We must have accountability and this is linked into the debate about investment and reform in our health services. We must have reform and that has begun.

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