Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

People are reeling as a result of yesterday's budget and no one more so than the thousands of people on social welfare whose payments are being cut at a time when they need them most. The pain, anger and distress caused by the Minister for Finance's announcement are immeasurable. The people feel betrayed by the Government, which has cemented the two-tier society that exists in this country. Never before has a budget been awaited with such dread or greeted with such anger.

The Minister for Finance stated that the Government's plan is working and that we have turned the corner. For many people, turning the corner has led them to a much darker place. The most vulnerable have been used as pawns by the Minister for Finance in his struggle to make up for the massive overspend made in the past. For widows, widowers, carers, the blind, the disabled, the unemployed and the young, this budget will make them pay.

This Government prides itself on looking after the poor. Yesterday, the Minister for Finance repeated his commitment to be fair and to protect the most vulnerable. Who is he talking about? If it is the blind, the disabled, carers or children then they are certainly not protected in this budget. The first hammer blow fell last April when the Minister for Finance announced that the Christmas bonus was being axed. Last week I talked to shoppers and stall owners in Meath Street. They all said the loss of the Christmas bonus would have a major effect on Christmas shopping. I invite the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to pay a visit to Meath Street to see for herself the impact the budget and the loss of the Christmas bonus will have on those who shop in Meath Street. They do not wear designer clothes and they do not shop on Thomas Street because they cannot afford it. Now, just two weeks from Christmas, the hammer struck again for people on social welfare already struggling to make ends meet without the Christmas bonus payment. In January they must cope with a further reduction in payments. This is supposed to be the season of goodwill but no goodwill is coming from the Government.

Yesterday's budget brought bad tidings for thousands of young people receiving jobseeker's benefit. The vast majority of young people do not want to be on the dole. They want to earn a living and live an independent life but, with very few jobs on the horizon, they are forced to join the dole queue. What does the Government do? It reduces the jobseeker's allowance for people under the age of 22 to €100 per week and for those aged between 22 and 24 years to €150 per week. How can we expect young people to survive, especially if they have moved out of home? With no jobs and little or no financial support from the State, the only option for many young people is to emigrate. As a parent, I face a major dilemma at the end of this month when my daughter will lose her job. I fear she may have to join hundreds, and possibly thousands, of people who must board planes and go to Australia, the UK and the USA. Many of these young people feel they have been betrayed and let down by the Government. They do not want to be a burden on their families or friends.

The average full-time carer earns just over €12,000 each year. When they are saving the State €40,000 per year, this is a small sum. I know very well the importance of our carers and the great work they do. I can vouch for this in respect of my family. My mam, who passed away this year, was cared for and loved 24/7 by my brother for the miserable sum of €221 a week. He was expected to pay for special food, clothing, bed sheets and high heating and gas bills out of this sum. These people do not want payment; they do this out of love. However, they deserve recognition and support because they provide a great service for their families and for the State, saving the Government thousands of euro each year.

I refer to child benefit, the disabled, the blind and widows. When I struggled, when my husband was unemployed, child benefit was very important at the end of the month. It paid not only for food and rent but many other things. I fear for the future of those who are disabled and blind, particularly widows. In today's world, where many are struggling, why pick on the most vulnerable in society? The Minister for Social and Family Affairs should be protecting these people, allowing them to have some joy and peace. I refer particularly to those with disabilities. Those with disabilities have many complications living their lives on a daily basis and should not have to decide where the next few shillings will go.

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