Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I was interested in what new initiatives the unit has proposed to the Taoiseach, as one of its stated aims is to propose new initiatives to the Taoiseach. Has the unit provided the Taoiseach with new initiatives or has it made proposals in that regard? Following on from the Taoiseach's reply to Deputy Gilmore, I am sure he is aware of the difficulties that so many people now face. It appears as though the words of the Minister for Finance no longer will have any meaning. On the issues of social inclusion and social welfare, it is clear that some categories of welfare recipients simply cannot work because of their circumstances. I refer, for example, to children, pensioners, the disabled, carers and so on. Has the unit within the Taoiseach's Department identified the pressures on such people to ensure they will not receive a savage hit in the budget next week? At the same time, has the unit advised the Taoiseach that, in view of the increase in the numbers of unemployed people, unless some fiscal stimulus is injected into the economy for the protection and creation of jobs, the position will worsen? Has the unit proposed new initiatives to the Taoiseach in this regard, which is central to its supposed aim? Unless the Government gets this right, the numbers of unemployed people will continue to grow.

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