Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)

I also welcome the opportunity to speak briefly on this Fine Gael Private Members' motion. I thank my colleague, Deputy Denis Naughten, for bringing the motion before the House. The motion is simple and straightforward. We want a complete reversal of these cruel cutbacks, which will hit the blind, the disabled and carers. In last week's budget, the Government made a huge mistake with these cuts. History will clearly prove that. It was unprecedented, unjust and short-sighted of the Government to hit the most vulnerable in society. One must considers all the money that has been in this country in the past 12 years. Not so long ago we were told the country was awash with money, and for this to happen is beyond comprehension.

The Minister said that stark choices had to be made concerning the various budgetary options, but only €108 million needed to be saved to ensure these payments continued. Better choices could have been made including cutting the number of Government quangos that exist. In addition, administration in Departments could also have been cut, as our party leader, Deputy Enda Kenny, said this morning. There were real choices and an opportunity to save this money in other ways. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs has failed the people by deciding to make these miserable cuts.

It is a shame that not enough has been done to deal with social welfare fraud. The Minister of State said it was not as much as 10% of the welfare budget, but there is a clear perception that at least one in every ten people is defrauding the taxpayer. That must be tackled seriously by the Minister and the Government. The Minister revised her annual fraud target, reducing it by €82 million for next year. That is shameful considering that she is not currently reaching the target. It is a cover-up and an opportunity for the Minister not to be held accountable for how bad things are.

The work that carers do has been undermined and is not appreciated by the Government, which has reduced their payments by €8.80 per week. It rubs salt in the wounds of carers following the shelving of the national carers' strategy earlier this year. Without carers the State would be in complete chaos. If those being cared for at home were to be taken into State care, it would be a disaster because the Government could not cope. Much has to be done in this regard and the work of carers must be appreciated. Fine Gael recognises the work that carers undertake and if we were in Government we would not make such a cruel cutback. We would make up the savings in other ways. It is estimated that a full-time carer saves the State up to €40,000 a year, but the real figure is a lot more because one must include the social benefits involved. In addition, the care and attention that is given by family members to their loved ones is much better than a nurse could ever provide. That is because a nurse is not related and does not know the patient personally.

The 4.1% cut in blind pensions is also cruel. Blind people have a lot more expenses as they must adapt their homes and their heating costs are higher. It is a very low blow to go ahead with such a cutback. The Social Welfare Bill was guillotined last week to stifle the debate and to try to bury all this information. We are not lying down, we are standing up for the most vulnerable people in society. We are asking all TDs to vote according to their conscience and do the right thing for the sake of those who are being cruelly discriminated against.

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