Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The summary of budget measures gives further details of these and a number of other more limited changes on social welfare entitlements. Social welfare spending rose in 2009 to €20.4 billion. The measures announced today will reduce social welfare spending by €760 million in 2010. Despite this reduction social welfare spending will reach €21.1 billion next year due to the sharp rise in unemployment during 2009. Of the major adjustments I am announcing today across all areas of spending, welfare is making the smallest contribution.

As a result of these deductions, rates of payment will revert to 2006 levels in the case of child benefit and just below 2008 levels in the case of working age rates for those aged 25 and over.

It is the Government's firm intention to maintain the comparatively generous level of social provision we have in this country but we are in very difficult circumstances and everyone must make a contribution. Government is about taking decisions, taking responsibility, and making choices that not all will welcome. Cutting public spending in the abstract is easy; deciding where cuts will fall in reality is an entirely different matter. Those opposite have the luxury of the former. We have the duty of the latter.

See this speech in context