Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

We would have reduced the burden on low earners by abolishing the universal social charge and taking half a million people out of the tax net. Our plan to introduce refund tax credits would have helped the poorest people in society, particularly those with gross earnings of less than €15,000 per annum. Our budget proposals would have removed the charge on medical card prescriptions.

The Minister, Deputy Quinn, has been attacking the education system. We would not have done that. Our budget proposals would have given a free lunch to every child in the State. We would have reversed the cruel decision to cut the number of special needs assistants by 200. Where we have had an opportunity to make changes, we have done so by using our limited powers in the Northern Assembly. Deputies must remember that Sinn Féin is part of a four-party arrangement in the North. Nonetheless, we have put in place a social investment fund of £96 million, a hardship fund of £28 million to protect people against Tory welfare cuts and a fund of £15 million to deal with rural poverty and isolation.

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