Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

In Fianna Fáil's case, it would have been a lot from the little.

The Government will spend €20.5 billion on social protection measures in 2012, a sizable amount even in current circumstances. I welcome the comments of the Minister for Social Protection in the House yesterday on disability allowance payments for young people. I understand the intention was not to reduce their benefits and welcome the fact that the issue is being revisited. Backbenchers played an important role in that regard. The issue will be dealt with before March.

When the dust settles after a budget is announced, there are always queries about a number of proposals. When I was in opposition, it was always the case that there were queries. It is worth talking about genuine concerns, but there has also been much hysteria, in particular from the Opposition, such as the scaremongering that took place before the budget.

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