Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

The findings currently available indicate that each of the budgets from 2008, including that introduced last week, have been very progressive. In other words, those who are in a position to pay most are being obliged to do so and those on lower incomes are being protected as far as is possible. The ESRI reports that have been published since I entered the Department indicate that all groups, particularly the elderly, have benefited significantly from social transfers. When issues relating to family income supplement, entitlement to medical cards, etc., are factored into the equation, there will be a better indication of the impact of the recent changes on particular groups.

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