Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have been told about €1.8 billion has been taken out over the past number of years. I am not seeking to make a political point. A number of groups came before the committee and a number of representative organisations approached us directly, all of whom were advancing their priorities. When talking to, listening and receiving correspondences from those groups, I noticed the extent to which the cut in the fuel allowance and the emasculation of the electricity allowance adversely affected people. Another matter which came to the fore was the cut in the respite care grant for carers.

A lot of research has been done by groups on the financial and human impact of the changes. Now that the economy appears to be turning around - if the Government has not declared victory prematurely - I am sure any Government would envisage that such payments would be restored gradually. I am trying to establish a mechanism for doing that in a logical manner. As I said, representative groups have done studies, surveys, etc., all of which are freely available online and to the Department.

I want to ensure that when the Department has money to restore the cuts, it does so in a way which matches the priorities of those affected. That is easily comprehensible from the reports and surveys bodies have done. I am trying to be of assistance to the Department. Such a report would be extremely useful for this and future Ministers in the consideration of social welfare expenditure for this budget and any administrative changes which may happen in future budgets. It would save a lot of work. I urge the Minister of State to accept the amendment.

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