John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

In my opinion, many people in receipt of social welfare benefit, be it supplementary welfare, disability benefit and so forth, would also recognise that the maintenance of their benefits is of the utmost importance to continue their way of living. The fact that the Minister did not even consider a cut across the rates in itself demonstrates that the least possible pain has been inflicted in this area.

It is worth pointing out that €21.3 billion is provided for social welfare services in 2009, which is 20% more than the amount spent in 2008, yet there is little talk about it. This shows a clear commitment to protecting the vulnerable and providing income support for the increasing number of people who are losing their jobs. For years we implored various Ministers to increase carer's allowance, pensions and so forth. That has been done, not just in good times but also in lean times. This is the first time a Government has been confronted with the need to reduce the social welfare budget.

It should be noted that over the past decade there have been significant increases in welfare benefits. Child benefit has increased from €44 to €166 per month. I am amazed that even when there are historic increases in welfare payments, there is little recognition of it or clamour about it. The State contributory pension has increased from €113 to more than €230 per week. Fair-minded people recognise that the Government has at all times been consistent and insistent on ensuring that the most vulnerable are protected. A very important part of the budgetary strategy has been the increase in the rate of jobseeker's allowance from €93 to approximately €200 per week.

Both taxes and borrowing had to be increased in the budget to pay for rising welfare expenditure. The figures quoted by the Minister confirm the fact that the Government recognises the need always to support the welfare budget through the increases it has made. We regret the fact that social welfare cuts had to be made but it is simply not possible to avoid them. Even though Members on the Opposition benches have said the opposite, I have not heard any suggestion that we could have secured savings of €300 million anywhere else.

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