Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Budget 2014 has been crafted in as fair a manner as possible, which will allow us to continue to make progress in getting people back to work. Since coming to office, the Government has been focusing on our biggest challenge, which is getting people off the live register and back into the workforce. These efforts are starting to bear fruit, with the unemployment rate falling for the past 15 consecutive months and 3,000 additional jobs now being created every month, but there is still much work to be done.

By introducing 25 separate measures that support job creation as part of a €500 million pro-job package, and ensuring that it pays to work, we can build on the progress we have been making in encouraging investment in Ireland so that our young people can build a future here at home.

I am delighted that the Minister, Deputy Noonan, has decided to retain the lower VAT rate for tourism services, which no doubt has played a significant role in boosting the visitor numbers here over the past two years. The Government has identified the tourism sector as one with considerable growth potential and as a result, a number of measures have been introduced to encourage as many as possible to holiday in Ireland. The boost in tourism figures is having a direct impact on job creation. Employment in food and accommodation services is up by more than 13% since the Government took office, meaning thousands of additional jobs are being created in the tourism sector. This has an effect in every town and village in the country. The 9% VAT rate was originally introduced as a short-term interim measure to provide a boost to the tourism sector. Deputy Noonan has clearly listened to those involved in the sector and this will safeguard jobs in the sector and come as welcome news to everyone involved in it.

Every effort has been made to protect education front-line services in this year's budget and I am delighted that we will be able to employ 1,400 new teachers at primary and post-primary levels next year. This will also allow us to protect the standard pupil-teacher ratios as the school-going population continues to grow. Additional resource teachers for children with special needs will be recruited and, crucially, the €1.3 billion budget for special education is being protected. A new book rental scheme is being introduced to reduce the cost burden on parents with young families.

The recruitment of teachers and additional investment in the reform of the junior cycle programme are planned for second level education.

At least 2,000 training places are being ring-fenced for the under 25s to help young people attain the right skills to secure employment. This is being provided for as part of a €45 million funding package for the youth guarantee scheme which will ensure young people are in training, education or employment.

Free GP care for children aged five years and under is great news for young families across the country. With GP fees averaging at €50 a visit, this will lift a financial burden from parents. One can never tell when a young child will get sick and this can have a big impact on a family's monthly budget, especially if medication is required on top of the GP fee. This measure is separate from the current wider medical card system and additional funding is being provided by the Government for the Department of Health. This is the first step on the way to free GP care for all.

A home renovation tax incentive scheme is to be introduced to help families to renovate their homes. A VAT rebate of 13.5% will be available for extensions and renovations. The VAT will be returned on amounts over €5,000 and under €30,000. This will generate employment and improve the standard of family homes.

Confirmation that Garda recruitment will commence shortly is particularly welcome. New recruits will enter the Garda College for the first time in five years and the Garda force will be maintained at 13,000 members. An additional €9 million will be spent on a Garda fleet which will allow for the purchase of 700 new Garda cars.

The €23 million increase for the suckler cow scheme is a clear statement of the confidence of the Government in the beef sector. This money will be allocated to the beef genetics study and is a wise investment in the future of the national herd which will be of benefit to farmers in the short and long term.

With the raising of additional funding from the sale of State assets, the Government has organised an additional €200 million capital programme in 2014. The package includes items such as additional sports capital grants, 5,000 housing adaptation grants for the elderly and the disabled, the recommencement of social housing construction and maintenance of the current network of local roads.

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