Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I disagree with the Deputy and think she is wrong.

The SWITCH analysis is a list of comparators over a period of time for different groups on different levels of income. The SWITCH analysis in Ireland does not capture where people, in receipt of a social welfare income or otherwise, have medical cards. Deputy Willie O'Dea knows that a medical card is a very valuable resource for people in receipt of social welfare payments and those in work on a low income. The SWITCH model does not include this information because it is a particular kind of comparator, nor does it include information on general overall investment. For example, next year I am delighted to say we will employ 1,700 additional teachers at primary and secondary level, including 360 SNAs and 400 resource teachers. Without a doubt, this will lead to a significant betterment of educational provision in schools, with the continuing programme of investment in building new schools, with which no doubt Deputy Ruth Coppinger is familiar in Dublin West. A huge number of new schools have been built by the Government, which has done two things. People are back to work in building schools and there is an enormous bonus for the children in education at all stages.

The second major investment is in the biggest social housing programme in a generation. I am so pleased that we have been able to do this in the budget. For various reasons, the previous Government - I acknowledge that many policymakers advised it - turned away from the provision of social housing through building to relying excessively and exclusively on the private housing market and landlords. This emphasis was mistaken and the return to investment in appropriate social housing clusters, including on infill and greenfield sites, will be extremely welcome. Socially, it is one of the best decisions taken by the Government in the budget. Although it is an investment over three years of €3.3 billion, it is not captured by the SWITCH analysis. All Members agree that investment in housing will produce a major bonus for the families who require housing and those returning to work, but it is not captured by the current analysis of who benefits from what.

The other significant investment in the budget is in the health system, with the health sector receiving a significant allocation this year and next year. This is extremely welcome.

Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett raised the issue of rent supplement. The Department of Social Protection provides homes for 72,000 people. Therefore, it is one of the largest providers of homes for people in the country. As Minister in that Department, I have prioritised and I am proud to continue to prioritise the issue. In the year to date, 19,000 rent supplement payments have been introduced or renewed. It represents almost one quarter of the rent supplement stock. We work very efficiently and effectively at local level to provide homes for 72,000 families in areas of choice, generally in privately owned houses in private estates.

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