Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It has cut child benefit, taxed maternity benefit and cut the clothing and footwear allowances. What did it give in return? It gave just a few child care places.

One of the most unfair cuts which will impact on 70,000 families is the cut in the respite care grant which provides significant service to families in difficult situations. These families have been singled out in particular. Every one of the welfare cuts imposed in this budget could have been avoided if the Minister had proceeded with what his Labour backbenchers wanted him to do which was to put a tax on those who can pay and those earning over €100,000.

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