Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I sincerely thank the Sinn Féin Members for allowing me time to speak to the motion. I thank the Fianna Fáil Members for bringing forward this important Private Members' motion. I have followed the contributions of speakers on the monitor in my office and great contributions were made by Members who support this vitally important motion. We did not get a chance to discuss this matter since the announcement was made in the budget. These cuts will be detrimental and extremely hurtful. Any person with a shred of intelligence will know that the more money one invests in people at this vulnerable point in their lives could mean the difference between those people finding themselves in a position where they would be able to get gainful proper employment later on rather than going on to and staying on social welfare for the rest of their lives. That is what these cuts will mean to families. A person who needs further education will not be able to get it and will be reduced to a lifetime dependence on social welfare. That is what this will mean. If the Government was forthright enough to realise that we have to invest in this sector, ensure courses and education is provided for these people, it could completely change their lives and the lives of the next generation. Statistics show that the children of people who are long-term unemployed end up also being unemployed. We always need to educate.

My filing system may not look great but 15 people contacted me about SUSI grants today. I have to get a dig in about the processing of them. What is happening in terms of the delivery of SUSI grants is a disgrace.

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