Margaret Conlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy O'Rourke for sharing time with me. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate.

We all recognise the difficult economic situation in which we find ourselves. The Government is cognisant of the fact that this is a difficult time for many families throughout the country. We have a growing number of people looking to the State for support. This is, unfortunately, increasing on a daily basis owing to the increase in the number of people on the live register. The Government has done its best in the past few difficult years to prioritise social welfare with the overriding principle that we will be fair and equitable while protecting the most vulnerable people in our society. This will continue to be its overriding principle. The Minister was clear on this in his contribution last night.

As a country, we are borrowing €420 million per week for day-to-day living, which is not sustainable. I recall when on holiday a number of years ago that my husband bought me a postcard which said: "If your outgoings are more than your incomings, your upkeep will be your downfall". If we are increasing our borrowing this means our interest repayments are increasing, leaving us with less money to spend on day-to-day living. If we continue to do this we will find ourselves in a much worse situation and facing the possibility of having European agencies coming in here to take a closer look at what is happening.

When we had money to do so, we gave significant increases in payments to families. It is widely recognised that the increases in child benefit during the good years helped all families. They have played a major role in reducing child poverty. Many members referred this evening to the requirement to cherish all of the children of the nation equally. In 1944, child benefit was only paid in respect of a third child. In 1963, all children under 16 years of age became eligible for child benefit. In 1974, the payment was vested in the mother. We have come a long way.

Child benefit is in the main paid to women, who are good managers, in particular when it comes to dealing with money in the household. Child benefit payments are utilised in many ways. I agree with those speakers who stated that there are wealthy men in this country who do not give to the woman of the house that to which she is entitled and deserves and that for this reason women depend on child benefit payments. Often women are waiting on child benefit payments to buy clothes, shoes, books or to even put food on the table. This payment is important, in particular at Christmas time, given the expense involved.

I cannot pre-empt what the Minister for Finance might do in the budget. However, I am sure he will strive to find a fair and equitable way of dealing with child benefit payments, with the overriding principle of protecting the most vulnerable in society. The Departments of Social and Family Affairs, Health and Children and Education and Science are the three biggest in terms of spending. We cannot exempt any of these Departments from the cuts. Every area must be considered.

There have been huge investments and major improvements in child care, which have given women greater opportunities particularly in terms of seeking employment. At the end of last year, people approached me to discuss the ending of the early child care supplement. The same people now tell me they are delighted their child will have a free preschool year. They consider it to be a wonderful achievement that this opportunity will be available to all children.

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