Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Approaching last year's budget, I gave an undertaking to do my best to ensure that core social welfare rates would be protected. I am happy to say that this occurred, particularly in terms of disability. Our society has a problem as a consequence of the collapse of the banks, the building industry and the tax revenues related to the latter.

Even within these constraints, it is a tribute to everyone in the Dáil that Deputies from the Government and the Opposition have strongly supported me in helping people on a disability payment. I am not able to tell the Deputy now what will be the outcome of the budget deliberations, but I will make the case very strongly to my colleagues around the Cabinet table. I hope, like last year, there will be a positive response.

Since becoming Minister, I have introduced a series of initiatives which we do not have time to debate now but which assist people with a disability by having the employability services help employers who take on people with a disability. One of the problems for many people with a disability is that if it is difficult for an able-bodied person to get a job now, it is even more difficult for people with a disability. I have done much for employers, including giving grants and wage subsidies, to encourage them to give people with a disability an opportunity to participate in the labour force.

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