Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)

Be that as it may, the IFA has clearly indicated in its submission for the upcoming budget that average income for a farming family is just over €19,000 per annum, a decrease of 12.5% on the figure for last year, and that there is likely to be a further decrease of 12.5% in 2009. All that the IFA and the farming community wants is to be assured that they will not have to endure any further burden or cuts to their income because, otherwise, they will be wiped out and will all be on family income supplement or other payments. When the national average farm income is approximately €19,000, what can we say about farm incomes in the west? The suckler cow grant was cut by 50%, while installation aid and the retirement pension were abolished. Unfairly and without equity a levy was imposed in order that gross income is taken into account without exempting capital allowances. No other community must suffer such a levy in such circumstances. I say to the Minister for Finance that farmers, those in the west, in particular, cannot afford to take further cuts.

Every community and group which has made a submission has said no. We heard the case made for carers. It is fine for Deputy White to make that statement when she knows well the Minister for Finance and the Taoiseach may decide to go down the road of not recognising the undertaking given by so many carers who save the State €2.5 billion.

I agree with Deputy Flynn on jobs. The reality is that it is no longer a question of job creation but job losses.

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