Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The position is that the Government gave very careful consideration to this budget, which is essentially about providing an opportunity to restore our public finances to good health, grow our economy and provide the capacity to create jobs. That is the central thrust of the budget. All of those people who are on social protection, are unemployed or low paid will never have the opportunity to have a better lifestyle and better opportunities unless we deal with the central structural faults in our economy.

The reduction in the respite care grant will not be reversed.

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