Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

As I stated to Deputy Enright on Committee Stage, there are 180,000 children in over 88,000 households benefiting from this. The scheme involves a not insignificant amount of money. We have provided over €43 million for the scheme in 2008, but particularly in budget 2007 we increased the rates from the base of €180 for children between the ages of two and 11 to €200 and for those between the ages of 12 to 22 to €305. That involved an increase of 67% and 61%, respectively, over the two years. That recognises the benefit of the scheme. It must be balanced in the context of all schemes. The figures are not insignificant in terms of the contribution. It can make a very significant difference to the families involved.

See this speech in context