Dáil debates

Wednesday, 25 March 2009

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed)

 

6:00 pm

Photo of Chris AndrewsChris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)

We must get the balance right. While it might be tempting to cut spending on vital infrastructure for short-term gain, I hope the budget will take the long-term view and provide for investment in major infrastructure. Obviously, not all infrastructural projects can be delivered upon within the original timescale. We must prioritise and I believe we will do so. Caution is necessary in terms of the capital expenditure programme.

A balance must be achieved between taking money out of the economy and protecting jobs and investing to increase our capacity to compete and deferring projects that are not necessary now thus releasing money for more immediate concerns. It is important the correct balance is achieved between cutting expenditure and raising taxes and borrowing. As I said earlier, there is no magic wand that can fix this. What we need is a plan. Recovery will take time.

As previous speakers stated, we must protect the vulnerable in society. They must not become easy targets. Carers have been engaging with public representatives on all sides. We cannot afford to send out the wrong message to carers who in effect work 24 hours a day, seven days a week and save the economy a great deal more than is paid to them. Also, they play a vital role in terms of society wherein social isolation is unfortunately becoming more prevalent. In the absence of the national carers strategy there are cost neutral measures that could be introduced that would benefit carers. We could promote the sharing of the carer's allowance by two carers providing care on a part-time basis. There is a lack of awareness in regard to people's entitlements and how the system operates. This proposal would be a cost neutral measure and would send out the right message to carers.

A family carer awareness training programme should be developed in collaboration with relevant stakeholders such as the Departments of Health and Children and Social and Family Affairs and the HSE. It should be delivered to frontline staff in all relevant statutory agencies on a phased basis.

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