Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On the Deputy's points regarding poverty, during the period from 2004 to 2010, which is the period for which the most recent data on children are available, the poverty reduction affect of social transfers rose continuously from 43% to 62%. As far as I am aware, although we do not yet have the detailed statistics, this has continued. As I said, our direct payments in cash to families with children, notwithstanding the severe economic difficulties in this country of which the Deputy is aware, continue to be among the highest in Europe. This is a considerable tribute to taxpayers in Ireland who have funded and continue to fund a high level of payment to families with children. There is a general recognition in society that families with children should be supported.

On whether it has been possible to avoid all reductions, unfortunately, it has not. When this Government took office, its predecessor had already invited in the IMF which had set in place a stringent structure in terms of how the budget would be dealt with and the conditions on which it would lend us money so that we could pay for social transfers such as child benefit, public servant salaries and health and education. The situation is difficult, although we are now emerging from it. Deputy Ó Snodaigh appears to have the luxury of being able to ignore the difficulties and the necessity to borrow on strict terms from creditors who have required certain cuts. I am surprised the Deputy is not aware of this.

See this speech in context