Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

In her contribution in the budget debate, the Minister told us that expenditure this year in regard to the social insurance fund would exceed income by €200 million and that this shortfall is expected to increase to €900 million next year. Will she explain how it is proposed to plug that hole this year and next? Given the size of the gap, why did the Government not fulfil its undertaking in the programme for Government to lift the ceiling on PRSI? The change announced in the budget is marginal.

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