Cyprian Brady (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. When one gives somebody something which he or she becomes dependent on, it is very difficult to take it back. Nobody on this side of the House welcomes or wants to see any kind of cuts, in particular to the areas we are discussing tonight, but we have to balance cuts with the €2.1 billion we will spend next year in these areas. In fairness to the Minister, the choices were stark and difficult.

There is an acceptance that payments have vastly improved in these areas over the past number of years and particularly over the past five or six years. There have been significant increases and people have trotted them out in the House on numerous occasions. I have spoken to many different groups and individuals since the budget. There is a general acceptance that we are where we are. The reality is that if we did not make these choices now, the chances are that the cuts which would have had to be made next year would have been savage. This part of the budget, while a large part, is still only part of the overall budget. The choices which had to be made were made to minimise, as much as possible, the effect the changes would have on peoples' lives.

On the two areas we are discussing, the value of carers and their families was recognised by this side of the House many years ago. A lot of work has gone into improving supports, training and facilities for carers, in particular since 1997, as have supports for the representative groups of carers. We have all dealt with them, as previous speakers have said. Every Deputy in the House was contacted by a group or organisation on behalf of carers. The fact the Minister managed to maintain the half-rate carers allowance is an indication that she listened to the many groups she met regarding this issue, something which has come across in the social welfare budget for this year.

We have made significant changes regarding people with disabilities. I have spoken to many individuals and groups who, for whatever reason, have to avail of disability payments. They accept that over the past number of years things have improved. I remember discussing with my former colleague, the late Senator Tony Kett, who worked hard and diligently in the area of disability, the Disability Acts as they passed through the House. Major changes were fought for by individuals and groups representing people who needed extra support and a hand up, something which they did not receive until a number of years ago. They were ignored for many years by successive Governments, but that has changed.

The fact is the choices made were made for a reason, namely, to ensure that next year we can continue to pay the allowances and grants which are needed and to support those who need it most. In fairness to the Department and the Minister, every effort is being made to ensure that those people who need help the most receive it.

See this speech in context