Mary O'Rourke (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

I have never interrupted Deputy Shortall as I would not dream of doing such a silly thing. She should allow anyone else who wishes to speak to make their point, however. It is a gross discourtesy to anyone not to allow them.

Fianna Fáil continues to get little credit for all the moneys that went into social welfare benefits every year since it took power. Every time there was only caterwauling and crying from the Opposition benches that it was not enough. Child benefit has increased from €638 million in 2000 to €2.5 billion in 2008. That is a huge amount of money on a very worthwhile and laudable allowance. Every woman in the land welcomes the fact that it is paid to the mother, a change introduced by a Fianna Fáil Government. Women, by and large, have used it for the good of their children, be it for clothes, education or medical costs.

The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Hanafin, has ensured that those in the greatest need continue to get the greatest payments. That is the right sentiment to have. Many Deputies encouraged people to apply for the family income supplement when it was a little known allowance. Its allocation has increased from €39.4 million to €200 million this year. It is an enormous State subvention to people at the very bottom of the ladder in the economy who genuinely need it. The qualified child increased rate of payment is €26 per child per week, up from €21.60 per child in 2006. It is targeted at those on social welfare or family income supplement going back to work. They can keep it for 13 weeks after they have entered employment. These are great improvements in how we treat children.

I commend the various social welfare Ministers who have improved social welfare benefits. I hope whatever is announced next week will be for the benefit of those in the lowest bracket of economic life. They need it very much.

See this speech in context