Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The equality, integration and disability service at that Department has been also cut by 15%, from €19.7 million to €16.8 million. Will the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, who left the Chamber a few minutes ago, explain to those on whom she proposes to impose cuts the reason she has increased office expenditure in her Department by 23%, from €11.9 million to €14.7 million? Is that this Government's idea of fairness? It is not mine. The disability allowance for young people between 16 and 18 years has been cut, a nasty thing to do.

The Minister, Deputy Howlin, referred to equalisation of child benefit rates. What does the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, have against third children? The Minister is proposing a cut in child benefit for third and subsequent children.

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