Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

I want to take a general view of the provisions of this Bill. While there have been increases under the budget, groups such as the old age pensioners have only received an increase of approximately 6%, with contributory pensioners getting €14 extra a week and non-contributory pensioners getting €12 extra a week. However, inflation as it affects them, in terms of food and heating, is probably approximately 14% or 15%. The increased fuel allowance of €18 is only from 29 to 30 weeks, which is just 3% of an increase. The Government puts forward the line that it is a caring Government, but when we look at the increases provided to our most vulnerable sectors, this is not borne out.

Lone parents are a cause of concern for all of us. The most recent poverty figures showed us that a one parent family with one child was at risk of poverty in 2007 if its income was below €282 a week. Before the budget such families were on an income of €258, which was under the threshold in terms of poverty. Many of us meet members of this group in our clinics and know it is very tough rearing a child alone. This is an issue we as a Parliament must consider. We must decide how to get procedures in place to allow them to get an education, work and rear their children so they can have a sustainable future. I feel strongly about this issue.

On the issue of child care costs, the Government has given an increase via child benefit of €1.38 per week and an increase in early child care support of €1.92 per week. This amounts to just over €3 per week extra. The early child care support is €1,100 a year, which is approximately €21 a week. The average cost of child care is about €215 a week. Therefore, there is a shortfall of approximately €200. People with children are aware that child care costs are very expensive.

We all feel strongly about carers, who do an invaluable job. The Government talks regularly about the primary care model and getting people back into the community. However, fewer than one in six of our 150,000 family carers is in receipt of the carer's allowance. Fine Gael put forward a practical proposal in this regard, namely, that a carer should only be assessed on his or her own income, not on both incomes in a household. This is a fair and practical proposal that I hope the Government will take on board.

The issue of old age pensions is another concern. Currently people must apply for their old age pension, but many of them are not aware of this. Neither are they aware that it may take up to five months for their application to be processed. I hope the Minister will take on board a proposal I have made previously. The Government should implement a process whereby everyone approaching retirement age is informed a year in advance that it will take up to five months to process their application. At least then they could get their pension from the time they reach pension age. Currently people who apply late for a non-contributory pension will only get paid from the date they apply. We live in a computer age, but Government expenditure in the area of e-government has borne little fruit. The Government has a PPS number for almost everyone entitled to a pension on file. It should use that information and send letters to them informing them of the requirements for receiving their pensions.

We also need to spend money in the disability area. The disability allowance only increased by €12. Our Private Members' business tonight is on the issue of autism. The Government's behaviour towards the area of disability is a disgrace.

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