Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)

I particularly want to acknowledge the work of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, an organisation driven by volunteers, in the real sense of the word. The society is in a unique position to speak on poverty, the effects of the cuts to date and the potential effect of further cuts. It is not the typical lobby group whose members make their presentation in Buswells and then return to their offices and high salaries. Its members are out in the hostels and centres, in the shops and housing associations, on home visitations and working with the most vulnerable in society. I want to acknowledge its pre-budget submission.

This voluntary group had to spend €75 million last year and has told us it received an unprecedented number of calls last year. One of the most distressing figures is that in our country €9 million was spent on food by that voluntary organisation. The society acknowledges that those most in need are families with children, in particular one-parent families, people living alone and migrants. The Government must keep the commitments it outlined in the programme for Government.

I note the amendment acknowledges the importance of child benefit and social welfare spending, as part of which €3.1 billion is a very significant amount, and reference is made to sustainable public finances. The amendment also refers to ensuring "fairness exists in the allocation of resources" and I hope that is what we will see next week. Some groups are very vulnerable, in particular those dealing with mental health and disabilities, as well as senior citizens who must rely solely on social welfare and children.

The UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child refers to a happy childhood and the right to develop but also to the right to adequate nutrition, housing, recreation, medical services and education. Child benefit is important in protecting children from poverty. I accept some who get it do not need it whereas others need more, and those who can afford it should contribute more towards our economic and social recovery. However, when we look at what is facing children if this is cut, we should remember that nobody should go to school hungry, every child should be able to look forward to Santa Claus and children should not feel inadequate because they do not have the right books in school. They should all have the pre-school and after-school facilities and the clubs to which they are entitled.

A humane and civilised society would not cut the remaining supports to the poorest among us because those cuts will further increase inequalities and will lead to massive social problems further down the line.

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