Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Suggesting to people that we will reform the social welfare system in a way that ensures people get options and opportunities is not in any way grandiose. I would have thought that was common sense because if we look at any community in any village or town throughout the country we see a wealth of resources available and a community spirit that is anxious to work with the local community and give people opportunities to develop and prosper.

The social welfare system, particularly for those in their active working years, has to be geared to give the maximum encouragement to people who have lost their jobs or were never able to get a job in the first place, so that they can avail of opportunities in education to improve their employability. That is an absolutely critical reform.

The programme for Government commits to maintaining social welfare and to a comprehensive expenditure review. The expenditure review requirements are very onerous. The country is in an IMF structural adjustment programme. That is something to which the previous Government signed up and bequeathed to this Government. We hope to be able to exit that programme and return the country to full financial independence and sovereignty. In the meantime, everything must be reviewed.

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