Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have great time for some Fianna Fáil Members but they warrant a good psychological evaluation because of the way they can come into the House and speak as if they personally had nothing to do with the ruination of our economy in recent years. It is extraordinary, but what is more extraordinary is the way we have managed to present a budget that does not cut social welfare rates or increase income tax. Our economy is fragile and our recovery is slow, but for the third year in government we have managed not to increase income tax or decrease social welfare rates. That is extraordinary. I do not believe we can manage to achieve that for the lifetime of the Government unless we see growth in the economy and achieve all the savings expected under the different agreements, because it is something that would be very difficult to do.

I will ask the Minister to waste no time in examining the report of the advisory group on tax and social welfare and considering how to deal with the issue of child benefit. We pay out more than €2 billion a year on child benefit. If we could divert even 10% of that money towards the most vulnerable children in our society it would be a remarkable achievement, because protecting vulnerable children has been a priority of this Government. We have moved forward in the way we care for children in our society, not just in passing the children's referendum but also in the fact that we have a dedicated Minister for Children and that all Departments examine the effects of their policies on children. That is a major step forward in the way the Government works, even in these extraordinary times of budget cutbacks.

Fine Gael and Labour Party members of the Government will protect children, patients, students and all vulnerable citizens. It will not be left to the flip-floppers in Fianna Fáil. They flip-flop on their own policies that they believed in a mere two years ago. It is extraordinary that Fianna Fáil believes it will inspire confidence in the electorate in a few years time, with its outright lies, flip-flopping on its core policies and playing the angry man routine, which, regrettably, I also see being played by some of our Sinn Féin colleagues. In future elections, in some respects, we will not have to worry about the promises that are made. Fianna Fáil will have to stand on its record of ruining this country, and comparisons will be made between what we have done in the Republic of Ireland and what Sinn Féin has managed to achieve in government in Northern Ireland. The electorate will have a much more balanced view in terms of how they will cast their votes in years to come because of our actions rather than what we say.

On the issue of the respite grant, it is important that we are realistic about what is actually happening. Some 52,000 carers are in receipt of carer's allowance and other social welfare supports. They do a fantastic job. It is a very demanding role and can be stressful, but to say that the Government does not care about our 52,000 carers is wrong. We will pay out more than €1 billion to our 52,000 carers next year. They fulfil a vital service for the people they care for at home, and we acknowledge that.

That is why we have made such a significant commitment to them. During this time of severe austerity, inflicted on us by Fianna Fáil, the Government is doing its level best to protect the 52,000 carers as well as the vulnerable children, people and elderly whom they look after. It is a fantastic testament to the Government that it has managed to achieve this over the past two years, although it has been extremely difficult at times.

Will Deputy Martin, the ultimate flip-flopper, ever apologise to the people for what he has done? It is amazing how he is able to re-invent himself. The Government is on the right track but we are due at least one, if not two, more tough budgets. We will have to defend these difficult actions but we are up to the task. We will not just accept what the Members opposite, particularly those from Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, claim on this budget. While they criticise the Government on the respite grant and how we look after carers, the Government has spent in excess of €1 billion looking after our 52,000 carers. In Northern Ireland, the total budget for carer's allowance comes to €190 million. There are significant differences in how we go about our work in tough times and we will be examining the Opposition's proposals. So far, the Opposition has spun a good story but, in politics, I do not like the way some people can narrowly focus on vulnerable cases just to score a point. We are looking at the broader issues and making some tough decisions. We also care hugely about the most vulnerable in our society which we will continue to do over the next several years.

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