Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We are going to recover the money and in recovering it we will make more funds available for those who rely for their income on the Department of Social Protection. The sum of €20.2 billion provided by taxpayers and those who lend us the funds represents 37% of all Government spending. For those who are concerned about social solidarity in Ireland, €20.2 billion is a very large sum. However, for some Deputies it is not enough. I appreciate this and personally would like if it was more, but in order to protect social welfare payments, we have to return the country to economic sustainability.

On the suggestions made by Members, including Deputy Ryan, I will raise them with the Minister for Finance specifically because they have a good deal of merit and merit detailed examination.

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