Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to make a brief contribution on this motion. I compliment my colleague on the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Enright, on her work thereon. The motion gives us the opportunity to make remarks on a number of issues that are of concern to us. Deputy Enright should understand that not everybody on this side of the House would disagree with the sentiments of her Private Members' motion. As others have stated, we are in unprecedented times and in a very difficult economic climate. I will certainly not stand in the Government benches and say people are happy.

Reference was made to growing unemployment. A total of 7,261 people are unemployed in Tallaght alone. Unemployment is an issue for us all. I speak as one who was a client of the local social welfare office in the past. I am always anxious to state we must continue to do all we can, in modern buildings and friendly atmospheres, to help those who are unemployed and seeking jobs. The Minister has great sympathy with this view. Let us not forget, in the context of this motion, that the best way out of social welfare difficulties is to provide employment.

Deputy Enright and I attended the briefing today with the Department of Social and Family Affairs. We had a very good discussion with Combat Poverty and many issues were raised. Perhaps the issues do not relate to every aspect of the motion before us but they are relevant to the challenges we face.

Everybody seems fearful and upset over what will happen on 7 April. I hope the Government will take account of the fact that the public is saying to all of us that the budget must be fair. The views in Tallaght are no different from those in Waterford, Tipperary or Laois-Offaly. I am very proud of my party's record over many years on addressing social inclusion issues. I hope those affected will not be abandoned next Tuesday and that we will continue to look after the vulnerable and those who need more help than others. I often said that, at a time when big boats are rising, we must remember the little ones. Now, as the big boats are struggling, we absolutely must remember the little ones. I hope we will continue to do so.

People should be aware of their entitlements and the system should be as customer friendly as possible. This should be the case in both good and bad times. Those who experience the trauma of seeking assistance should be able to seek it easily. Colleagues have made points on all the difficulties people face. People should know their entitlements and the information must continue to flow in this regard. I hope the Department will continue to ensure this is the case.

I particularly support the view that the Department should make the process as easy and as efficient as possible for those who must claim social welfare. I hope people are claiming only because they must. As the last speaker stated, I have no sympathy for those making fraudulent claims. Those who are in absolute need should be facilitated. The Minister has guaranteed that everything possible will be done to reduce the time for which people are waiting. We must continue to support this process. Where extra staff, facilities and resources are required, they should be made available. This is the business of the day and the challenge the Government faces.

Reference was made to the enforcement of court orders. I listened recently to an excellent speech by Senator Harris on dealing with law enforcement and crime. I take the view that we should lock up criminals in our jails rather than people who have difficulties other than those associated with crime. I am not suggesting people should tolerate people not paying their bills or living up to what is expected of them but there must be a better system than that which puts such people in jail. Yesterday a constituent of mine was collected and jailed for five days because of the failure to pay a fine. While I do not condone the non-payment of fees or fines, I believe there should be an alternative to putting in jail those who offend in this manner. I hope the Government will continue to consider this, particularly in these difficult times.

We all strongly support the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, MABS. There has been an office on High Street in Tallaght for quite some time. I took the opportunity some weeks ago to bring the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Hanafin, to that office to show her the excellent services being provided there. I am very proud of what is being done. We know MABS provides an effective range of supports and assistance to those in debt and who need help and advice to cope with debt problems.

When we visited the MABS office, the local manager, Marie White, spoke to us. She made a point with which we are all familiar and to which reference was made by many of us, that is, that there is now a new poor. I refer to those who, even a few years ago, had no difficulty with their debts or in taking on new credit cards or mortgages, or buying new cars.

I am no different from anybody else in that I received invitations from almost every financial institution to take on a credit card. Famously, I remember receiving an invitation from Manchester United to take on one of its credit cards. During the week, a local football club, Shamrock Rovers — I do not want to sound critical of it because I am not — was in consultation with a local bank with regard to credit cards. We should be careful about such trends.

When MABS briefed me, the Minister and others, it stated there are people who never had to cope with debt but who must now do so. This suggests a new form of poverty. People need to receive as much assistance and advice as they can. I am glad MABS appears to be providing that service and I hope the Minister will understand that, as we proceed through this economic crisis, people will need to have an increasing amount of advice. I hope resources will be made available in this regard.

A number of colleagues referred to the community welfare officer system, which is operated by the HSE. There is a range of challenges. At the meeting with representatives of the Department of Social and Family Affairs this morning, Deputy Shortall made a very good contribution on rent subsidy. This presents a challenge to many families in the changing economy. The business before us is understood by us all and we understand the problems in all our constituencies. Every time we have contact with our constituents in our advice centres, these problems arise. The Minister should understand they are important and that she should continue to resource the required services. I hope this very clear message will reach the Department.

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