Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)

A dedicated fuel poverty strategy will be initiated by the end of this year. That strategy was negotiated by the various Members, of whom the Minister, Deputy Hanafin was one, from the Green Party and Fianna Fáil who negotiated the programme for Government.

I am delighted that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, is increasing the funding available for housing adaptation grants. I welcome the increase from €65 million to €80 million in funding for this scheme, which is in high demand and which can assist many of the elderly and give them confidence to remain in their homes throughout their latter years.

Our children are also being protected. The accusation has been made that the cut in child benefit is an attack on children. We know parents will find the 10% reduction a financial burden but this budget's strong protection of investment in education is a sign of the Government's commitment to providing children with an opportunity to develop to their full potential. When difficult decisions relating to cutbacks in education were taken in the context of the previous budget, I recall the furore that arose. I am delighted that those with special needs, those with particularly good abilities and those in need of encouragement will be protected and that the pupil-teacher ratio will be maintained. The latter is a good development.

One of the many positive provisions relating to education in 2010 is the reinstatement of the collective grants. I am delighted that parents who are obliged to access back to school allowances, the grant for school books or whatever will be able to do so. Many low-income households that might have struggled to meet the cost of school books, uniforms or whatever, will be able to obtain grants and thereby offset some of the costs that arise at the beginning of the school year. I welcome the immediate allocation of an extra 200 teachers, additional psychologists - who will assist children with special needs - and the maintenance of current grant and capitation levels. I also welcome the fact that third level fees are not being reintroduced. Many families which have been affected by unemployment but which wanted their children to attend third level can now rest assured. The Green Party, in conjunction with its colleagues in the Government, is committed to investing in youth.

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