Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Every week, approximately 1.5 million people receive social welfare payments. When we take into account qualifying adults and children, this adds up to almost 2.3 million people in the country who receive a benefit, including child benefit, which is paid to 610,000 families in respect of 1.2 million children per month. Assistance with key household bills is given to almost 410,000 households and pensions are paid to 560,000 people. Working-age income support is paid to 480,000 people, and income support for carers and people with an illness or disability is provided to 300,000 people. The idea that everyone is being left high and dry by the Government is rubbish. Half the population receives some form of social welfare support every month.

I listened to some of the comments made about this Bill, and it seems the average nurse or teacher is the enemy of some Opposition Members, based on their salaries. The Opposition resents the fact that these people are getting taxes back in the budget. When we were discussing the budget last year, there was an expectation that this year we would take more out of the economy. In fact, we are putting it back. Not for a minute do I think the average nurse or teacher or a person earning the average industrial wage is overpaid.

See this speech in context